The pseudo-Council of Sinuessa was a purported gathering of bishops in 303 at Sinuessa,[1] Italy, the purpose being a trial of Marcellinus on charges of apostasy. It is generally accepted[1][2][3] that the gathering never took place and that the purported council documents were forged for political purposes in the 6th century during the schism between Symmachus and Laurentius, who both claimed the Holy See. The collection of forgeries, including the Council of Sinuessa, is collectively known as the Symmachian forgeries.
an alleged synod of 300 bishops, which took place in 303 at Sinuessa (between Rome and Capua) in order to inquire into the accusation against Marcellinus that he had sacrificed at Diocletian's order. On the first two days Marcellinus had denied everything, but on the third day he admitted his lapse and repented; however the synod passed no sentence on him "quia prima sedes non judicatur a quoquam." When Diocletian learnt of the occurrence, he had the pope and several bishops of this synod executed (Hefele, "Konziliengeschichte", I, 2 Aufl. 143–145). The spuriousness of those acts is almost certain.[1]
The Latin phrase "quia prima sedes non judicatur a quoquam" means roughly "for the occupant of the highest see cannot be judged by anyone",[4] and the anecdote was produced in later centuries as evidence for the doctrine of papal supremacy.[5][4]
Forged accountedit
A primary Latin account of the pseudo-Council of Sinuessa was collected by Giovanni Domenico Mansi in 1759.[6]Döllinger summarizes the commonly-received account:
Marcellinus is conducted to the temple of Vesta, and there offers sacrifices, in the presence of a crowd of Christian spectators, to Hercules, Jupiter, and Saturn. At the news of this three hundred bishops leave their sees, and gather together to hold a council, first in a cavern near Sinuessa, but, as this would not hold more than fifty, afterwards in the town itself. Along with them were thirty Roman priests. Several priests and deacons are deposed, merely because they had gone away when they saw the pope enter the temple. Marcellinus, on the other hand, neither may nor can be judged, being supreme head of the church,— this conviction pervades the whole synod,— the pope can only be judged by himself. At first he attempts to palliate his act; but seventy-two witnesses make accusation against him. Thereupon he acknowledges his guilt, and himself pronounces his own deposition on the 23rd of August, 303. After this the bishops remain quietly together in Sinuessa, until Diocletian, upon receiving intelligence of this synod in Persia, sends an order for the execution of many of the three hundred, and this is carried into effect.[7]
Döllinger dates the forgery to the reign of Symmachus, when Symmachus himself was being forced to answer to a synod convened by Theodoric, and himself was being threatened with deposition.[8]
Later uses and criticismedit
The story of Marcellinus and the Council of Sinuessa has been cited by later writers in support of papal supremacy.[5][4]
Vice versa, one scholar writes that during the reign of Antipope Alexander V, Jean Gerson used the story[9] "to prove the legitimacy of a council assembled without the authority of the pope."[10]
Referencesedit
^ abc Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Pope Saint Marcellinus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
^George Finch (1831). A Sketch of the Romish Controversy. G. Norman (London). p. 303. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^"There can be no doubt that the account of this council of Sinuessa is spurious." John Jewel, bishop of Salisbury (1611). A Defense of the Apology of the Church of England. John Norton (London). Reprinted in John Ayre, ed. (1845). The Works of John Jewel. University Press (Cambridge). p. 340.
^ abcKarl Josef von Hefele (1872). A History of the Christian Councils (volume 1), from the original documents to the close of the council of Nicæa. Translated by William R. Clark. T. & T. Clark (Edinburgh). p. 128. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^ abGeorge Finch (1831). A Sketch of the Romish Controversy. G. Norman (London). p. 298. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^Giovanni Domenico Mansi (1759). "Concilium Sinuessanum, ejusque acta omnia, de Marcellini Papæ condemnatione". Sacrorum Conciliorum (volume 1). Antonio Zatta (Venice). p. 1249. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger (1872). Fables Respecting the Popes in the Middle Ages. Translated by Alfred Plummer. Dodd & Mead (New York). p. 81. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger (1872). Fables Respecting the Popes in the Middle Ages. Translated by Alfred Plummer. Dodd & Mead (New York). p. 85. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
^"Marcellinum idolis sacrificasse." Jean Gerson (1706). "Sermo coram Alex. papa, in die Ascensionis Domini". Opera Omnia (volume 2). p. 135.
^W.T. Townsend (1933). "The So-Called Symmachian Forgeries". The Journal of Religion. University of Chicago. 13 (2): 165–174. doi:10.1086/481294. S2CID 170343707.
December 02, 2023
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The pseudo Council of Sinuessa was a purported gathering of bishops in 303 at Sinuessa 1 Italy the purpose being a trial of Marcellinus on charges of apostasy It is generally accepted 1 2 3 that the gathering never took place and that the purported council documents were forged for political purposes in the 6th century during the schism between Symmachus and Laurentius who both claimed the Holy See The collection of forgeries including the Council of Sinuessa is collectively known as the Symmachian forgeries The Catholic Encyclopedia describes an alleged synod of 300 bishops which took place in 303 at Sinuessa between Rome and Capua in order to inquire into the accusation against Marcellinus that he had sacrificed at Diocletian s order On the first two days Marcellinus had denied everything but on the third day he admitted his lapse and repented however the synod passed no sentence on him quia prima sedes non judicatur a quoquam When Diocletian learnt of the occurrence he had the pope and several bishops of this synod executed Hefele Konziliengeschichte I 2 Aufl 143 145 The spuriousness of those acts is almost certain 1 The Latin phrase quia prima sedes non judicatur a quoquam means roughly for the occupant of the highest see cannot be judged by anyone 4 and the anecdote was produced in later centuries as evidence for the doctrine of papal supremacy 5 4 Forged account editA primary Latin account of the pseudo Council of Sinuessa was collected by Giovanni Domenico Mansi in 1759 6 Dollinger summarizes the commonly received account Marcellinus is conducted to the temple of Vesta and there offers sacrifices in the presence of a crowd of Christian spectators to Hercules Jupiter and Saturn At the news of this three hundred bishops leave their sees and gather together to hold a council first in a cavern near Sinuessa but as this would not hold more than fifty afterwards in the town itself Along with them were thirty Roman priests Several priests and deacons are deposed merely because they had gone away when they saw the pope enter the temple Marcellinus on the other hand neither may nor can be judged being supreme head of the church this conviction pervades the whole synod the pope can only be judged by himself At first he attempts to palliate his act but seventy two witnesses make accusation against him Thereupon he acknowledges his guilt and himself pronounces his own deposition on the 23rd of August 303 After this the bishops remain quietly together in Sinuessa until Diocletian upon receiving intelligence of this synod in Persia sends an order for the execution of many of the three hundred and this is carried into effect 7 Dollinger dates the forgery to the reign of Symmachus when Symmachus himself was being forced to answer to a synod convened by Theodoric and himself was being threatened with deposition 8 Later uses and criticism editThe story of Marcellinus and the Council of Sinuessa has been cited by later writers in support of papal supremacy 5 4 Vice versa one scholar writes that during the reign of Antipope Alexander V Jean Gerson used the story 9 to prove the legitimacy of a council assembled without the authority of the pope 10 References edit a b c nbsp Herbermann Charles ed 1913 Pope Saint Marcellinus Catholic Encyclopedia New York Robert Appleton Company George Finch 1831 A Sketch of the Romish Controversy G Norman London p 303 Retrieved 2018 06 09 There can be no doubt that the account of this council of Sinuessa is spurious John Jewel bishop of Salisbury 1611 A Defense of the Apology of the Church of England John Norton London Reprinted in John Ayre ed 1845 The Works of John Jewel University Press Cambridge p 340 a b c Karl Josef von Hefele 1872 A History of the Christian Councils volume 1 from the original documents to the close of the council of Nicaea Translated by William R Clark T amp T Clark Edinburgh p 128 Retrieved 2018 06 09 a b George Finch 1831 A Sketch of the Romish Controversy G Norman London p 298 Retrieved 2018 06 09 Giovanni Domenico Mansi 1759 Concilium Sinuessanum ejusque acta omnia de Marcellini Papae condemnatione Sacrorum Conciliorum volume 1 Antonio Zatta Venice p 1249 Retrieved 2018 06 09 Johann Joseph Ignaz von Dollinger 1872 Fables Respecting the Popes in the Middle Ages Translated by Alfred Plummer Dodd amp Mead New York p 81 Retrieved 2018 06 09 Johann Joseph Ignaz von Dollinger 1872 Fables Respecting the Popes in the Middle Ages Translated by Alfred Plummer Dodd amp Mead New York p 85 Retrieved 2018 06 09 Marcellinum idolis sacrificasse Jean Gerson 1706 Sermo coram Alex papa in die Ascensionis Domini Opera Omnia volume 2 p 135 W T Townsend 1933 The So Called Symmachian Forgeries The Journal of Religion University of Chicago 13 2 165 174 doi 10 1086 481294 S2CID 170343707 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pseudo Council of Sinuessa amp oldid 1159954795, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
