As An Opposition Center: Monasteries
AbstractThe monastic tradition is an important religious institution in Orthodox Christianity. Therefore, the monasteries have a special importance in Byzantine History. Monasteries emerged as a reaction to secularization in Christianity. They were able to act more independently againts the state and the church in the capital. For this reason, the dissatisfied people in the provinces were more respectful to the monks. Because, in some cases they could act against the emperor and patriarch in the capital. Therefore, the monasteries sometimes acted as opposition centers. Sometimes they cooperated with the state and the church and fought against the heretical currents that threatened Orthodoxy. At the same time, they have sometimes engaged in theological struggles with the official Church in the capital. Sometimes they were involved in political struggles in Byzantium. For example, as in some theological and political debates in Iconoclastic Period (726-842), and in term of Patriarch Arsenios (1255-1259; 1261-1267) in the political fights with the emperor, and in the reunion efforts with the Roman Church.