The Disputatio of the Latins and the Greeks, 1234: Introduction, Translation, and Commentary

In 1234, four mendicant friars arrived in Nicaea to discuss the possibility of a union between the Greek and Roman Churches. The Fourth Crusade in 1204 placed the Byzantine capital of Constantinople under Latin control, creating an atmosphere of conflict. The report of the friars describes the discussions and highlights the motivations and implications of church union. The letters exchanged by Pope Gregory IX and Patriarch Germanos II demonstrate optimism and challenge the long-held view that attempts to end the schism were doomed to fail.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

In the year 1234, a significant event unfolded when four mendicant friars arrived in the Byzantine city of Nicaea to engage in discussions about the potential union between the Greek and Roman Churches. The controversy surrounding the specific differences in doctrine and practice had reached a heightened level in the thirteenth century, making it an urgent matter to address. The Fourth Crusade, which occurred in 1204, resulted in the Latin control of the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, creating a climate of nearly continuous conflict. Despite this challenging backdrop, both sides decided to meet with the hope of reaching a peaceful settlement. Presented here for the first time in translation, the report of those friars detailing the discussions of 1234 sheds light on the diverse range of motivations and implications surrounding the prospect of church union in the years following the Fourth Crusade. The letters exchanged between Pope Gregory IX and Patriarch Germanos II provide valuable insights into the terms under which both parties entered the negotiations, showcasing a notable degree of optimism. When combined, these sources constitute the most comprehensive collection of material documenting any dialogue between the churches in the thirteenth century. The translation and analysis of these sources challenge the long-held belief that efforts to end the schism of the churches were inherently destined to fail.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 154 x 218 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800856783