Imitatio Christi in Papal Synodal Sermons, 1095–1274

Strack, Georg (2023): Imitatio Christi in Papal Synodal Sermons, 1095–1274. In: Ozawa, Minoru; Smith, Thomas W. und Strack, Georg (Hrsg.): Communicating Papal Authority in the Middle Ages. Studies in Medieval History and Culture, London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis. S. 31-45

Abstract

This chapter analyzes papal synodal sermons and shows how the motif of imitatio Christi was used in order to express or challenge papal authority. The first part of the chapter deals with sermons attributed to Popes Urban II and Calixtus II and identifies different concepts of imitatio in the narrative sources of the twelfth century. It establishes a link to Innocent III’s famous sermon Desiderio desideravi of 1215 in which the pope alluded several times to the passion of Christ. The text can be found in the pope’s sermon collection, but it was also well-known among chroniclers of the Late Middle Ages. When they wrote about this speech, they emphasized the pope’s authority as a Christ-like preacher and prophet. Therefore, it is not surprising to see that Gregory X quoted this text when his authority was challenged at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274. Scholars have recently examined Matthew Paris’ report of a similar sermon given by Innocent IV at the First Council of Lyon in 1245. They have not, however, considered the chronicler’s intention in writing about the pope’s Christ-like performance. This chapter argues that Matthew Paris in fact wanted to show that Innocent IV imitated Jesus only in words and not in deeds, and thus abused his authority as Vicar of Christ.

• Dokumententyp: Buchbeitrag
• Fakultät: Geschichts- und Kunstwissenschaften > Historisches Seminar > Mittelalterliche Geschichte
• Themengebiete: 900 Geschichte und Geografie > 940 Geschichte Europas
• ISBN: 978-1-032-42093-6 ; 978-1-003-36117-6 ; 978-1-032-42091-2
• Ort: London
• Sprache: Englisch