АUTOCEPHALY OF SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND CONSEQUENTIES OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL IN MONASTERY OF ZICHA (1219/1220)
/АУТОКЕФАЛИЈА СРПСКЕ ПРАВОСЛАВНЕ ЦРКВЕ И ПОСЛЕДИЦЕ ЖИЧКОГ САБОРА (1219-1220)/

Radomir POPOVIC

professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Belgrade, Mije Kovacevića 11б, 11060 Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, radomir.popovic@live.com, 00381112762732

Abstract

This research examines the role of Saint Sava in the acquisition of the Church's autocephaly in Serbia, based on sources. Everythink that saint Sava did in 1219 was in the spirit of Tradition and centuries-old ecclesiastical practice: autocephalia was obtained from the Patriarchate of Constantinople as Mother Church. The Zice City Council in 1220 only works and practically realizes ecclesiastical independence by the election and consecration of new bishops, which will result in the creation of new dioceses and the expansion of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Keywords

Serbian Orthodox Church, Saint Sava, Domentian, Theodosius, Council in Zica (1220)

SUMMARY

Acquiring the status of autocephaly Church in Serbian lands at the beginning of the 13th century is the result of, among other things, favorable historical and Church circumstances which were acquired at the time. They are multiple and are reduced to the objective circumstances in which was a Serbian state. The Serbian Church was in favorable conditions that were present canonical act and gave legal legitimacy which will be confirmed in the future life of Serbian people and of SOC to this day. Based on historical sources, it is possible at least in outline to reconstruct how to autocephaly Church in Serbia has been, how it is in practice carried out, and realized, and which are the main carriers of this very large and important event on the historical path of Serbain Church and nation. In the study, based on primary sources, the elderly and the most recent literature, mainly in the field of Church history and Canon law, considers a key role and work of St. Sava in acquiring autocephaly - spiritual maturity or independence of the Church in Serbia. The study explains that St. Sava did everything strictly in the spirit of Tradition and Church law: autocephaly is obtained from the Patriarchate of Constantinople as the Mother Church. Local Council of Žiča in 1220 was also witness of the traditional level of Church law: the church independent gave the selection and ordination of new bishops. Council, modeled on ancient local Councils, at the same time insisting on preserving the purity of the traditional Orthodox Christian faith, which is now even more undertakes a new independent local Church in the great family of the Ecumenical Church. In this way, once again highlights how it was own independence, so the more the Church, Orthodox unity. The subsequent history of the Church in Serbian lands, to this day, and show only confirmation that the work of St. Sava done in 1219, was originally Evangelical and Traditional not only for Serbiаn nation and the Church, but also for the universal Church as a whole.

(Language: serbian)

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