Joseph Volotsky
Joseph Volotsky was a prominent Russian theologian and an early proponent of tsarist autocracy. He is chiefly remembered for leading the "possessors" party in defense of monastic landownership against the "non-possessors" and for his staunch opposition to heresy. The Russian Orthodox Church considers him a saint, celebrating his memory on September 9 and October 18.
- Feast Day
- 9
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- Russia
Key Facts
- ›Born Ivan Sanin in 1439 or 1440, he became a monk and later founded the Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery.
- ›He led the "possessors" in a dispute with "non-possessors" concerning monastic landownership.
- ›Joseph Volotsky advocated for the divine authority of the tsar, viewing him as God's deputy on Earth.
- ›He was a strong opponent of the "Judaizers" heresy, calling for their imprisonment and execution.
- ›His major work, "the Enlightener," argued against heretical teachings.
- ›He was officially canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1579 and nationally in 1591.
Joseph of Volotsk, Joseph of Volokolamsk, Ivan Sanin
Businessmen
About Joseph Volotsky
Joseph Volotsky (1439/1440 – September 9, 1515), born Ivan Sanin, was a significant figure in Russian religious and political history, known for his theological writings and his role in advocating for tsarist autocracy. He is venerated as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Life and Historical Context
Joseph Volotsky came from a wealthy landowning family. He received his early education at a local monastery and later took monastic vows in 1459. After a period of disappointment with the lax morals in some monasteries, he founded his own cloister in 1479, which became known as the Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery. This monastery was characterized by a strict charter emphasizing absolute obedience to the abbot and a highly regulated monastic life.
Initially, Joseph Volotsky had connections with appanage princes who opposed the grand prince. However, he later shifted his allegiance to the grand prince, transferring his monastery to the patronage of Vasili III in 1507, solidifying an alliance that supported the growing power of the Moscow principality.
Defense of Monastic Landownership
Joseph Volotsky is most remembered for leading the "possessors" party in the dispute over monastic landownership. During the Church Sobor of 1503, he and his supporters successfully thwarted a proposal by the "non-possessors" (nestiazhateli), led by Nilus of Sora and Vassian Patrikeyev, to eliminate monastic landholdings. Volotsky argued for the legality of monastic landownership and the justification of rich church adornments through his epistles.
Ideas on Tsarist Authority
Joseph Volotsky's efforts to bolster the position of the grand princes, who were increasingly referred to as tsars, coincided with the triumph of the possessor party. He restated the Byzantine concept that the tsar, though human, held God's power on Earth and was God's deputy. However, he also stipulated that the tsar's legitimacy depended on his care for the Christian Church and adherence to its rules and moral obligations.
Opposition to Heresies
Volotsky was a staunch opponent of the "Judaizers" heresy that was spreading in Russia. At the Church Sobor of 1504, he demanded the execution of heretics. His major work, "The Enlightener" (Prosvetitel), aimed to disprove this "new teaching" and argued for the imprisonment and execution of heretics, drawing on Roman-Byzantine and Iberian precedents. Like the debate over monastic ownership, his stance on heresy was opposed by Saint Nilus of Sora.
Veneration
Joseph Volotsky was officially recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church, with local canonization in 1579 and national canonization in 1591. His memory is celebrated on September 9 and October 18 (Julian Calendar). He is considered a patron of businessmen.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Joseph Volotsky?
Joseph Volotsky, born Ivan Sanin, was a prominent Russian theologian and an early supporter of tsarist autocracy. He is known for his defense of monastic landownership and his strong stance against heresy.
What was the dispute Joseph Volotsky was involved in?
Joseph Volotsky led the party known as the "possessors" in a significant dispute with the "non-possessors" (nestiazhateli) over the issue of monastic landownership. He successfully argued for the preservation of these landholdings for monasteries.
What were Joseph Volotsky's views on tsarist authority?
Joseph Volotsky was an early proponent of tsarist autocracy, restating the idea that the tsar held God's authority on Earth. However, he also believed the tsar's legitimacy depended on adhering to Church rules and moral obligations.
What was Joseph Volotsky's position on heresy?
Joseph Volotsky was a staunch opponent of heresy, particularly the "Judaizers" sect. He advocated for severe punishment, including execution by the state, and called for a civil inquisition against heretics.
When is Joseph Volotsky celebrated as a saint?
The Russian Orthodox Church considers Joseph Volotsky a saint. His memory is celebrated on September 9 and October 18, according to the Julian Calendar.
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