The Josephites and the non-possessors

At the very beginning of the 16th century, an important event took place in Russia – the Church Council of 1503. It addressed the burning issues that had accumulated in the spiritual environment over the previous decades. One of these issues was the fate of monastic land ownership, the dispute over which revealed two opposing points of view and two "parties" – the Josephites and the non-possessors. The leader of the first was Abbot Joseph Volotsky, the second was inspired by Abbot Nil Sorsky.
Historical background
It must be said that this movement among Russian Orthodoxy did not mean its split, as it was under Patriarch Nikon in the middle of the 17th century. Both the Josephites and the non-possessors were looking for a way that would allow Orthodoxy to become better and adapt to the realities of its modern era. The 15th century was unique for Russia. The most important event was the overthrow of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and the country's independence. The unification of all Russian lands was actually completed under the auspices of Prince Ivan III of Moscow (the remaining principalities were more or less dependent on the will of Moscow), who assumed the title of sovereign of all Russia. In addition, after the fall of Byzantium in 1453, Russia remained the only independent stronghold of Orthodoxy in Europe. All this left an imprint on the formation of both foreign policy and the country's awareness of its place in the world hierarchy – Russia became the successor of the ancient Orthodox empire, which was expressed in the idea of "Moscow – the Third Rome."
All these factors created the need to change the role of the Church, its place in the new state, and its spiritual principles. The general weakness of the church hierarchy, which was inherited from the metropolitans of Constantinople, also made itself felt. Spiritual searches were also expressed in the heretical movements of that century – the strigolniks and the Judaizers. But they were most actively reflected in the polemic of the Josephites and the non-possessors.
Confrontation
The issue of monastic patrimony was just one of the points that were raised by representatives of the two movements. Below are their points of view on the main issues.
1) Monastic land ownership. The non-possessors preached a complete rejection of any kind of property, defending the ancient ideal of mendicant Christianity. The Josephites, referring to the founders of the first monasteries, advocated the possession of landed property and villages by monasteries, while at the same time prohibiting individual monastic "greed". Collective wealth was, in their opinion, one of the sources of Orthodoxy's service to the whole society.
2) The form of monastic life. The Josephites advocated monastic cohabitation. Non–possessors are for wandering, in which two or three monks live in complete unity with God.
3) The attitude towards heretics. The Josephites took a hard line – heretics should be persecuted and subjected to cruel executions and death. The non-possessors believed that heretics should not be condemned, but should try to direct them to the truth by talking. Those who repent should not be punished at all, for judgment is the prerogative of the Lord.
4) The role of Orthodoxy. The non-possessors believed that monks should move towards spiritual perfection and approach God through ascetic existence, complete withdrawal from the world and "intelligent prayer." The Josephites saw the role of faith differently. They considered her main task to be serving the world, transforming it, and morally influencing the flock. They assigned the same role to the Grand Duke.
Results
The movement of non-possessors was based on the spiritual trend that was born in Byzantium in the 14th century and was called hesychasm. His main principles are withdrawal from the world, moral self–improvement, and approaching God through unceasing prayer. The Josephites promoted the ideal of service to society. This is the lot of everyone, both a monastic monk and even a grand duke.
At first, Ivan III supported the non-possessors, as he had his own views on church lands. But later, the Josephite point of view prevailed. It was her adherents who began to play a major role in the fate of the Church and its relationship with the increasingly strengthened state in the XVI–XVII centuries. 1xBet met à disposition une structure de bonus équilibrée pour tous les profils. Le bonus sportif de 100 % jusqu’à 130 € permet d’augmenter les mises initiales. En intégrant le meilleur code promo 1xbet les joueurs découvrent également une offre casino incluant 1 950 € de bonus et 150 tours gratuits.