The abbey is a Catholic monastery. Who is an abbot? Officials of the Abbey Monastery in France
Which, starting from the 5th and 6th centuries, is given exclusively to the abbots of the monasteries and thus becomes the title of a church position. The same name, only with a feminine ending, abbess, from lat. forms Abbatissa, later began to be given to the abbesses of convents. So far, only monasteries have existed on the rules established by St. Benedict (before the X century.), and the name of the abbot was the common name of their superiors. From the X table. new religious orders began to emerge, and the monasteries of only a few of them, such as for example. The Premonstratensians, Cisterians, and Trapists were ruled by abbots, while most of the rest called their abbots: foremen (majores) (among the Camaldules), priors (among the Carthusians, Hieronymites, Dominicans, Carmelites, Augustinians, etc.), guardians (among the Franciscans) or rectors ( among the Jesuits). Abbesses were not only in the convents of the mentioned orders, but also among the nuns of the Fontevrode order and among the secular canonists. Many orders did not want to use this title out of a sense of humility. Abbots occupied different positions in relation, on the one hand, to the order, and on the other hand, to the monks of their monasteries subordinate to them. Eg. among the Benedictines, the abbot appointed by the convention enjoys complete independence, while among the Cistercians he is bureaucratically subordinate to the supreme council in Clairvaux. Even before the monks were included in the clergy, the abbot had the right and was obliged to monitor the observance of the order rules, manage the monastic estates and demand unconditional obedience from the monks. The punitive power of the abbots over their monks was quite extensive; in former times, even corporal punishment was often used, and even now abbots and abbesses enjoy the right, for serious crimes, to subject their subordinates not only to temporary, but to life imprisonment. An Ubenedictine appeal against the punitive sentence of an abbot is submitted to the bishop or pope. As early as the 6th century, abbots were ranked among the clergy, and by the time of the Second Council of Nicaea (757) they were granted the right to consecrate their monks to lower positions. All abbots belong to the prelates of the church, occupy a place in the hierarchy directly after the bishops and have the right to vote in councils. The same privileges and rights were sought by the abbesses, but they could not get them already because women are not allowed to perform any sacred rites. They remained subject to the bishops of their diocese, while the abbots tried to free themselves from this subjection by means of privileges. The abbots of the liberated monasteries do not recognize any authority over themselves, except that of the pope. Beginning in the 7th century, bishops often intervened in the rights of abbots, placed, at their own discretion, their favorites in the places of abbots, and when these places were cleansed, they even left abbeys behind them. Even more harmful to the dignity of this dignity was the fact that in the 8th and especially In the 9th century, by the good will of the kings or for reasons of necessity, it began to pass to the laity, and the Carolingians began to distribute abbeys to their adherents as a reward for their loyalty or for military merit. As a result, until the 10th century, inclusive, the most important monasteries within the hierarchy of the Roman Church were headed, for the most part, by secular abbots or abtgraphs (lat. Abbacomites, Abbatates milites), who collected for themselves the income of these spiritual institutions. In these cases, the real supervision in the monasteries was assigned to the deans, priors. In France, the title of abbot was first given to abbots of monasteries. But when, according to the concordat between Pope Leo X and King Francis I, the French kings were granted the right to appoint 225 Abbes comendataires for almost all French abbeys, this carefree and unemployed position prompted many young people, including junior members of the noble families, to devote themselves to the clergy in order to on occasion, obtain a similar sinecure. Already in the 16th century, all young people of the clergy were called abbots, not excluding those who did not have a priestly rank. Their clothing consisted of a short black or purple cassock with a small collar, and their hair curled into ringlets. But since only a few of the total number of abbots could count on the fulfillment of their desire, a significant part of them began to occupy the places of domestic teachers in noble houses, or penetrate families as spiritual advisers and friends of the house, and their influence was too often harmful. Therefore, in the old French comedies, abbots do not play a very attractive role. Some other young clergy who did not hold official positions tried to get places in the higher education department or become famous as poets and writers. Only at the end of the 18th century, during the revolution , abbots disappeared from French society, and now this title is used by the French only as a form of courtesy, in letters to young persons of the clergy. The French word abbot corresponds to the Italian abbate, and this title is used in addressing any young person of the clergy who has not yet received the priesthood.
Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron. - St. Petersburg: Brockhaus-Efron. 1890-1907 .
Synonyms:See what "Abbot" is in other dictionaries:
- (it. abbate, from Heb. ab father). 1) until the 5th century, every elderly monk; from the 5th century until the revolution in France, abbots of Roman Catholic monasteries. In the 9th century, rich abbeys began to come, at the behest of Western European sovereigns, under the jurisdiction of ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
Priest, rector Dictionary of Russian synonyms. abbot n., number of synonyms: 2 rector (10) ... Synonym dictionary
abbot- Abbot ♦ Abbé From the Aramaic 'abba', which later became ecclesiastical Greek and ecclesiastical Latin, father. Voltaire noted in this regard that the abbots should have produced children, then they would have at least some use ... Perhaps, this time in ... Philosophical Dictionary of Sponville
M. abat (old opat. With two opates, that is, hegumens, abo archimandrites) rector of a Roman Catholic monastery; honorary title of a catholic clergyman... Modern Encyclopedia
- (Latin abbas, from Aramaic abo father), 1) rector of the Catholic monastery of the abbey (abbot of the abbess). 2) The title of a French Catholic priest... Modern Encyclopedia
- (lat. abbas from Aramaic. abo father), 1) rector of the Catholic monastery of the abbey (abbot of the abbess); 2) the title of a French Catholic priest ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Catholics have an honorary church title, which was given to the abbots monasteries(in the convents of the abbess). With the emergence of spiritual orders, the abbots of their monasteries were called differently: priors (among the Carthusians, Dominicans, ... ... Historical dictionary
ABBAT, abbot, husband. (from Syriac abba father). Pastor of a Catholic monastery. Dictionary Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov
ABBAT, a, husband. 1. Rector of a male Catholic monastery. 2. Catholic clergyman. | adj. abbey, oh, oh. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov
Husband. abat (· old. opat. With two opates, that is, abbots, abo archimandrites) rector of a Roman Catholic monastery; honorary title of a Catholic clergyman. | Once one title, for honor and income. Abbess, abbess. Abbatov, to him ... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
Books
- Manon Lescaut, Abbé Prevost, Moscow-Leningrad, 1932 Academy Publishing. Publisher's binding. The safety is good. Abbé Prevost's novel Manon Lescaut is the best example of French fiction of the 18th century. Category: Classical and modern prose Series: Treasures of World Literature Publisher: Academy,
- Abbe Prevost. Manon Lesko. Choderlos de Laclos. Dangerous Liaisons, Abbé Prevost. Choderlos de Laclos, No dust jacket. The book contains two masterpieces of French prose of the 18th century, which are brought together by the fact that each of the writers (both the Abbé Prevost and Choderlos de Laclos) became famous as the author ... Category:
AT Christian world there is an ordered system of titles and ranks that divide the clergy into certain categories. Such a hierarchy is needed in order to avoid chaos and confusion, because, despite the common goal of all followers of Christ (preaching the word of God), someone still has to lead the rest.
Therefore, let's consider such a Catholic dignity as the abbot of a monastery. After all, despite the fact that today this title is rarely used among the clergy, in the old days everything was very different. But let's talk about everything in order.
So, in order to understand what an abbot is, you need to go to the beginning of the 5th century. In those distant times, when the first Catholic monasteries were just appearing in Europe. Naturally, along with this, someone should have appeared who would take on the role of a mentor, capable of not only managing the life of the community, but also establishing contacts with the rest of the world.
It was during this period that the first abbot of a small monastery appeared, appointed by the Pope himself. A little later, at a general meeting of the clergy, this dignity was officially approved, and from now on all the abbots of the monasteries received the same title.
What is an abbot in the Catholic hierarchy of that time?
It should be noted that from the 5th to the 8th century the abbot was the main steward of the monastery. His power allowed him to make many decisions related to the internal politics of the monastery. The abbot was subordinate to the bishop, and, like any Catholic priest, to the Pope. Although there were autonomous monasteries, whose abbots carried out only the instructions of the Pope.
Over the years, the power of the abbots rapidly increased and allowed them to influence the decisions of local land stewards. Moreover, some abbots themselves were landowners, since the Catholic Church granted them their own plots, of course, for the needs of the monastery.
Changes in orders with the coming to power of the Carolingians
The turning point was the coming to power of Charles Martel. Between the 8th and 10th centuries the management of the monasteries passed into the hands not so much of the clergy as of the adherents of the power of kings. If you understand what an abbot of those times is, then in most cases he was a vassal of the ruler, who had proven himself in battle.
Such appointments to the post of abbot were a kind of encouragement or payment. At the same time, the rulers of the monasteries themselves did not really want to listen to the orders of the bishops, which clearly did not suit the latter.
Who is the abbot today?
The rule of the Carolingians collapsed, after which power again passed into the hands of the Catholic Church. And although such castlings often took place in history, the position of the abbots did not change much from this. As before, they were the usual stewards of the monastery, obeying the orders of the bishops.
However, starting from the 16th century in France, all young men who were introduced to the church began to be called abbots. Moreover, most of them did not even have spiritual titles.
Given this increase in the number of abbots, their importance to the church has fallen greatly. Therefore, many of them began to work as ordinary teachers teaching in theological schools or houses of the nobility.
But what is an abbot today? At the present time, this word is extremely rarely used both in the secular and in the spiritual life of Catholics. The dignity of the abbot is rather a tribute to the past than a full-fledged title.
In fiction, especially Western European literature, characters are often referred to as abbots. The context shows that they are ministers of the church. But what rank do they occupy? Who is an abbot? Is it a monk or a priest? What is its place in church hierarchy? Is there any equivalent to this title in other Christian denominations? Can women be abbots? You will find out by reading our article. But to fully understand who an abbot is, you need to know church history.
Etymology of the term "abbot"
This word has Aramaic roots, but translated into Latin. "Abo" means none other than father. In early Christianity, when people consecrated themselves to God, they grouped around an experienced member of the community, who instructed them in teaching, fasting, and other monastic rules.
According to what Christ said in Matthew (12:50) and Mark (3:35) about spiritual relationship, those who made vows to the Lord were part of a new family. For them, the eldest member of the community became the father. With the development of Christianity in the Roman Empire, this Aramaic word was directly copied into Latin. Abbas, or abbatic, has not lost its meaning.
It should be said about the specifics of the monastic life of the early church. In the first centuries there were no monasteries in modern meaning this word. Christians lived in cities, in ordinary houses. It is to them that Paul and the other apostles address their Epistles. Then Christians began to seek seclusion from the worldly things away from settlements. In the desert areas they began to build sketes. And in this case, the Elder, called the Father, is at the head of the community.
Cinobia and monasteries
The title of the Elder among the hermit monks was preserved for quite a long time. But the papal power of Rome in Western Europe tried to subjugate the Christian communities to itself, to build a certain vertical of power. From the monks in the wastelands began to demand to settle in hostel monasteries.
From the sixth century, the Benedictine charter began to be introduced, which regulated monastic life. According to the new rules, the head of the religious house was dominus et abbas - master and father. His duties included taking care of the material well-being of the monastery, as well as taking care of the salvation of the souls of the other brothers. Thus, the abbot is the abbot of the monastery. In Orthodoxy, he is answered by the rank of abbot. The abbot was elected for life by the brothers, but the bishop had to confirm him in office.
Titles of abbots
Since the tenth century, new orders began to emerge. But not in all of them the abbots were called abbots, but only among the Trappists, Cistercians and Premonstrants. In other orders of the Catholic Church, the monasteries were headed by priors (Dominicans, Carthusians, Carmelites, Augustinians, Hieronymites and others), majores (Camaldules), guardians (Franciscans), rectors (Jesuits), commanders (Templars).
The title of abbot also acquired feminine features. The abbess of women's monasteries, the nuns, were called "mothers", which was an analogue of "fathers" in male religious communities. But with the transformation of this word into a Catholic church title, they began to be called abbesses. In Orthodoxy, the abbess convent called abbess. It should be said that many orders refused the title of "abbot" by virtue of a vow of humility. After all, the words dominus et abbas were already inseparable in the name of the dignity.
Is the abbot a monk or a priest?
It remains to find out whether the abbot of the monastery has the right to celebrate the liturgy. After all, not all monks who have taken monastic vows can perform the rite of transubstantiation, that is, “transform” bread and wine into the flesh and blood of Christ. For a long time in the churches this sacrament was not included in the dogma. A simple blessing and breaking of bread was practiced in memory of the Last Supper of the Lord. Therefore, this rite was performed by the elder of the religious house - a simple monk who enjoys authority among his brothers.
But the councils at Rome (in 826), Poitiers (1078) and Vienne (1312) established that the abbots of monasteries must be ordained to the priesthood in order to perform the rite of transubstantiation. Since women are forbidden to do this by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the abbesses remain nuns and are subordinate to the bishops. Wherein male cloisters, especially large ones, for example, Clairvaux, fought for independence from the territorial church authorities. They were only subordinate to the Pope.
Abbots in France
In this country, the title has its own characteristics. The fact is that in 1516, Pope Leo X and King Francis of France concluded an agreement under which secular authorities have the right to appoint 225 abbots of monasteries.
The new position was called Abbes comendataires. It could be occupied by nobles who did not have a priestly rank, to whom the king simply granted this sinecure for any merit. This prompted many younger sons of noble families to accept a spiritual title. Not all of them got what they wanted. But those who, in anticipation of the sinecure, worked as spiritual mentors and teachers in the homes of wealthy aristocrats were also called abbots. After the French Revolution, the institution of secular abbots was abolished. Now all priests are respectfully called abbots in France.
Ancient abbeys are examples of ancient architecture. These are incredibly beautiful cathedrals, which are actively visited by tourists today. It is noteworthy that the architecture of these monastic complexes is fraught with many mysteries for historians. They are decorated with decor, the elements of which belong to the groups occult symbols which is of even greater interest to both specialists and tourists. So, we will consider the meaning of the word "abbey" and the most interesting ancient monastic complexes below.
What is an abbey?
The abbey is a Catholic monastery. Catholics make up the majority of believers in Europe and Latin America. Catholic Church It is a strict hierarchical system headed by the Pope. And the abbots occupy not the last step in this system.
In the Middle Ages, the abbeys were the richest and most large monasteries. They exerted not only religious, but also political and economic influence on the country. So who is the abbot?
Meaning of the word
It is the abbot (male) or abbess (female) who governs the abbey. They report directly to the bishop or even the pope.
Who is an abbot in terms of linguistics? The origin and history of this title is very ancient. The very word "abbot" (in Latin - abbas) has Hebrew and Syriac ( abba) roots and means father. In Catholicism, this is the name of the abbot of a male Catholic monastery. Initially, in the V-VI centuries. this title was given to all the abbots of the monasteries, however, with the advent of various religious orders, many synonyms for the word "abbot" appeared. So, the Carthusians called the priors priors, the Franciscans - guardians, and the Jesuits - rectors.
As a rule, the priest was appointed to the post of rector by the bishop or pope for life.
History of appearance
The emergence of religious communities goes back to the origins of Christianity. Even then, people gathered around the dwelling of a man known for his holiness. They built houses around this place and voluntarily submitted to this person. Over time, such religious communities began to devote themselves to the service of God.
This is a monastery built like a real fortified town. In addition to the monastery, the complex included multiple buildings. Stables and workshops were built here. The monks planted gardens. In general, there was everything that was needed for subsistence farming. Since lay people also lived in the abbey, the architecture of the monastery provided for their separation from each other.
Over time, the abbeys turned into whole complexes of buildings, which included refectories, hospitals, libraries and chapter halls, in which the monks held meetings. The abbot had separate chambers. Of course, this general picture was supplemented by various details, depending on the individual charter of the order.
Since most of the monasteries were very often rebuilt as a result of battles, their original appearance hard to imagine. It is known that almost every order was distinguished by its own architectural style, which, alas, sometimes could not be recreated exactly during the restoration.
The first was called Benedictine. It was founded by Nursia in the VI century in Italy. Already in the 8th century, Benedictine monasteries were erected in many parts of the world. Western Europe. By the beginning of the twelfth century, the Benedictines had enormous power. They ruled their own lands and actively built temples and churches.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey in London is one of the most famous and ancient in the world. Its appearance has hardly changed since its discovery in 1066. The official name of Westminster Abbey is St. Peter's Collegiate Church. The monastery impresses with its majestic splendor, which came from the depths of centuries. The subtle and graceful Gothic style makes it one of the most beautiful monasteries in the world.
The history of Westminster Abbey begins in the 960s and 970s. The Benedictine monks were the first to settle here. They built a small monastery, but in XII Edward the Confessor ordered to rebuild it, making it larger and more majestic. Westminster Abbey opened to the public in February 1066.
Since its inception, Westminster Abbey has been the main church in Great Britain. It is here that the monarchs of Britain are crowned and buried. But not only the monks find their last refuge in the monastery - in the so-called "Poets' Corner" famous subjects of the English crown are buried, which include great poets, actors, musicians. In total, there are about 3,000 burials in Westminster Abbey.
Interesting fact! Some of the royal offspring were also married in the abbey. So, Prince Harry married Kate Middleton here.
Bath Abbey
The former and now the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, is located in Bath (a city in England). The abbey is a perfect example of the Gothic architectural style. It is one of the largest British monasteries. Initially, the monastery was supposed to become a female monastery - in 675, the land for the construction of the temple was granted to the abbess Bertha. But later the monastery became a male monastery.
The abbey enjoyed great influence during its heyday. Later there was an episcopal see, which then moved to Wales. After the Reformation, the monastery, which had lost its former influence, was closed, and the land was sold.
Only in the 16th century a parish church was opened here. Elizabeth I ordered the restoration of this church in the Perpendicular Gothic style - this is how it was supposed to look originally, but at that time the abbey did not have enough funds for such a grandiose project.
Abbey of Mont Saint Michel
The abbey is called the eighth wonder of the world. Mont Saint Michel is located in France and is one of the most popular French attractions. On all sides, the abbey, spread out on a rocky island, is surrounded by the sea, and only a dam connects it to the land. Once upon a time, only at low tide it was possible to walk to this majestic structure.
According to legend, these rocks were brought into the sea by giants. Mont Tomb, aka Saint-Michel, carried a giant on his shoulders, and the second rocky hill, Tombelin, was dragged by his wife. However, they got tired and threw rocks near the shore.
The history of this stunningly beautiful monastery begins in the 8th century. It is believed that Archangel Michael himself appeared in a dream to Bishop Ober, ordering him to build a monastery on the island. However, the saint had to visit the bishop twice more before he correctly interpreted his command. That is why the name of the monastery is translated as "mountain of St. Michael".
The abbey was built slowly - in order to give it its current appearance, it took 500 years. Today, only a few dozen people live in the monastery, but more than 3,000,000 tourists visit it every year.
Lérins Abbey
Lérins Abbey is located on the small island of Saint Honoré (Lerins Islands). It is a complex consisting of a huge monastery and seven chapels. Today the abbey is open to tourists and bears the title of a historical monument of France.
The history of Lerins Abbey is very rich. The island remained uninhabited for a long time, as it was teeming with snakes. The Romans, who at that time ruled on French soil, were afraid to visit him. But in 410 the hermit Honorat of Arelat decided to settle here. He sought to find solitude, but his disciples decided to follow him, forming a small community. Thus began the history of Lérins Abbey. It was Honorat who later compiled the "Rule of the Four Fathers", which later became the first monastic charter in France.
Lerins Abbey was attacked more than once. So, in 732 the monastery was almost completely destroyed by the Saracens. In 1047 he fell into the power of the Spaniards. During the French Revolution, the monastery was bought by a French actress who turned it into a guest house. But today the monastery, rebuilt by Bishop Fréjus in the nineteenth century, rises majestically on the island and welcomes tourists.
In addition to the monastery itself and the chapels, tourists can visit the museum of historical manuscripts and the cloister (inner courtyard).
Bellapais Abbey
The abbey is located in the village of the same name, just a few miles from Kyrenia. Today (in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) it is a dilapidated building, but some of its buildings have retained their former appearance. This building is one of the most striking examples of the ancient Gothic culture in Cyprus. Some of the decorative elements have also been preserved. So, tourists enjoy admiring the old church, decorated with frescoes, stairs and columns that have preserved their original architectural style, the refectory (monastic dining room).
Unfortunately, very little is known about this monastery. It was founded by Augustinian monks who arrived from Jerusalem. In 1198, the construction of the monastery of St. Mary of the Mountain began. In the 13th century, the monastery was handed over to the order of demonstrators, who probably built the church that has survived to this day. Since the monks wore white robes, they were informally called the "White Abbey".
Monastery of Saint Gall
This abbey is located in Switzerland, in the heart of the city of St. Gallen. Belongs to the group of the most ancient monasteries in the world. In 612 Saint Gall built himself a cell on the site of the monastery. Later, the Benedictine abbot Otmar built a huge monastery on the site of a small cell, which very quickly began to generate income for the city through donations from wealthy parishioners. Until the 18th century, it retained its original appearance. But in the 18th century, the ancient monastery complex was demolished, and a new, even larger and more majestic baroque monastery was built in its place.
Especially valuable on the territory of the monastery is the library. It contains about 160,000 medieval manuscripts. The plan of St. Gall is also kept here, which is an idealized picture medieval monastery, written in the distant IX century.
Abbey Maria Laach
In the mountains of the Eifel, in Germany, on the shores of Lake Laach, there is a monastery, small, elegant and sophisticated. Founded in 1093 by noble spouses, it still retains its architectural beauty. During the construction of this monastery, several types of stone were used, as a result of which the interior of the monastery is distinguished by unique decorative elements.
Decorated with mosaics depicting floral ornaments and Germanic mythology, the monastery impresses with its graceful beauty. An enclosed garden is attached to the western wing of the facade, which is surrounded by an arched gallery. Such cozy corners are called cloisters and are a distinctive feature of the Romanesque monasteries.
Currently, the cathedral is open to tourists, for whom it is in great demand.
Conclusion
All the abbeys described above are unique and incredibly valuable buildings for historians. However, tourists show even more interest in them. After all, these are holy places filled with a special, divine atmosphere.
Have we told everything about the Cluniac monks? At first glance, yes. And yet it is not so. We have so far imagined only the way of life of ordinary monks. It remains to observe the life of those who had various titles and made up the "cadres" of the monastery. This observation is very useful not only to penetrate the mysteries of monastic life, but also to imagine the life of that era as a whole.
Abbot and Grand Prior
In place and respect. Any more or less significant monastery was ruled by an abbot. In this case it was called an abbey. In those places where there were few monks, sometimes only a few people, a prior, or abbot, was at the head, and this was called a priory. This word does not come from the French verb "to pray" (prier), but from the Latin word prior - "first".
In Cluny itself, as well as in the most significant monasteries dependent on him, the abbot was often absent on duty, inspecting the wards of the monasteries or doing something else, and had as a deputy the “grand prior”, to whom, in the absence of the abbot, his rights were transferred not only inside monastery, but also in relation to everything that happens in the vicinity. Since the burden of his duties was very great, there was also a “dean” who specialized more in the economic issues of monastic life, that is, managed the local lands of the monastery. Finally, the maintenance of internal discipline, in other words, the supervision of the monks, was carried out by the “monastic prior”, whose very title clearly shows that his competence did not extend beyond the perimeter of the walls of the monastery.
In addition to these people, who personified the central authority, there were also monks who occupied special "positions". They are the most interesting for us.
