St. Pachomius Library

The (Roman Catholic) Council of Florence, Ferrara, and Basle

XV Century
One of the many goals of this long and unsuccessful council was the reunion of the Eastern and Western churches. (It also attempted to address the balance of papal vs. conciliar power and to head off the looming crisis of the Reformation.) St. Mark of Ephesus was the most notable member of the Orthodox delegation (and outspoken opponent of Union); he pointed out that besides resolving the issues which divided the two sides in the XI Century, it would be necessary to deal with subsequent Western innovations, e.g. the doctrine of Purgatory.
Under construction --- far from complete! Read with caution.

ABOUT:
- Joseph Gill: The Council of Florence, (1959). Cambridge University Press, 1959.
- Ivan Ostroumoff: The Orthodox Response to the Latin Doctrine of Purgatory at the Council of Florence. --- Orthodox Info
- Fr. Amvrossy Pogodin: St. Mark of Ephesus and the False Union of Florence. Excerpt only, but fairly long. --- Orthodox Info
- Deno Geanakoplos: Byzantine East and Latin West, Chapter Three: The Council of Florence. New York: Harper Torch, 1966.

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