Bogomilism First_Bulgarian_Empire

expansion of bogomilism in medieval europe

during reign of emperor peter i (r. 927–969) in bulgaria arose heretical movement known bogomilism. heresy named after founder priest bogomil name can translated dear (mil) god (bog). main sources bogomilism in bulgaria come letter of ecumenical patriarch theophylact of constantinople peter (c. 940), treatise cosmas priest (c. 970) , anti-bogomil council of emperor boril of bulgaria (1211). bogomilism neo-gnostic , dualist sect believed god had 2 sons, jesus christ , satan, represented 2 principles , evil. god had created light , invisible world, while satan rebelled , created darkness, material world , man. therefore, rejected marriage, reproduction, church, old testament, cross, etc. bogomils divided several categories, led perfecti (the perfect ones) never married, consumed no meat , wine , preached gospel. women become perfecti. other 2 categories believers, had adopt , follow of bogomil moral ethics, , listeners, not required change lifestyle. bogomils described cosmas looking docile, modest , silent outside, being hypocrites , ravenous wolves in inside. bulgarian orthodox church condemned teachings of bogomilism , members of sect persecuted state authorities since bogomils preached civil disobedience because earthly state considered linked satan. sect not eradicated , bulgaria spread rest of balkans, byzantine empire, southern france , northern italy. in regions of western europe heresy flourished under different names – cathars, albigensians, patarins – until 14th century.