Chapter 244 "The Acts of Barnabas"
There are many things that Garris cannot directly talk to anyone about, such as what is the concept of a modern country.
There was no way he could talk about this to people of this era.
If the Eurocentric narrative is more focused, then the prototype of the modern state is usually considered to have been formed in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries.
The first was the Thirty Years' War. Such a long-term and high-intensity war forced the political systems of the participating countries to be updated.
This was followed by the Peace of Westphalia, which established the principle of state sovereignty and the state became the basic unit of international relations.
Subsequent nationalism, monarchy, and centralization also deepened this process.
As a "modern" country, it will have some key characteristics.
For example: clear territorial boundaries, sovereignty, permanent government, rule of law, regular military and police forces, national identity, international recognition...
In the 12th century, there is no country that meets these characteristics, but Cyprus does not meet them anyway.
The current situation in Cyprus.
High emotional intelligence: A small country with few people governs by doing nothing.
Low EQ: Nothing you want...
If one day a big country comes out next door and wants to extort tribute from Cyprus, that big country will find that it is not even clear who to ask for money from.
Even the nominal head of state does not govern the country.
Apart from the church and the widespread imposition of tithes, the island was essentially in a stage of anarchy.
On the FRELIMO side, these people, led by Nicholas, are striving to end this state.
In a true sense, a unified country and government can be established that can restore the glorious infrastructure of Cyprus in the Roman era.
And the biggest competitor for this goal is actually the Church of Cyprus itself.
Nicholas does not think that the church represents the future of Cyprus.
That's why he said those words to Andre: "The movement has not yet succeeded, we still need to work hard!"
……
Return to the church, to be precise, return to your own cathedral.
Anthony felt it was troublesome, even though the emperor of Cyprus had been overthrown.
Now that the church has become the head of the family in Cyprus, Anthony finds that the tasks he has to deal with every day, like Archos, have begun to double.
Because Cyprus lacks a systematic government agency.
Almost any trivial matter, as long as the bishops and priests below do not want to deal with it, will be handed over to Anthony.
The things are as big as two cities setting up tax cards for each other, or as small as a farmer losing a chicken...
Moreover, now because Garris is asking the Cyprus Church to be willing to engage in [communion] with the Holy See.
The mission from the Holy See also came to Cyprus. From time to time, they would come to Anthony for Bible debate.
Taking today's situation as an example, we have just left Arthos and are preparing to go to the port of Paphos to prepare to meet "Red Beard" Frederick I.
Cardinal Arnold, the envoy from Rome, found Anthony. When he saw the excited face of the other party, Anthony's mood became even worse.
No need to think about it, this must be another time for me to discuss the details of [Inclusion]. These days, the differences between Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism are actually very minimal in the eyes of other religions.
The main points of disagreement are clear to everyone.
It is nothing more than whether to recognize the leadership of the Roman Pope, the authority of mysticism and doctrine, or the difference between liturgy and ritual.
Among these three issues, the first one concerns the Holy See, which will not back down no matter what. The last two are actually details.
Due to the instructions of Geiris, Anthony has stated many times: "There will only be one head of Christ in the entire church. There is no doubt that we must obey that instruction."
To Cardinal Arnold, the envoy from Rome, these words were acknowledging the authority of the pope.
Now that we can agree on the major premise, the subsequent detailed issues can be resolved in Arnold sooner or later.
But Anthony needs to delay time, and it is impossible to really go to [communion] with the Holy See.
Therefore, he put forward a large number of demands on details, thereby delaying time.
For example: whether the Mass is held in Greek or Latin, whether local festivals are recognized, etc.
Of course, in order to delay time, Anthony actually has a big killer on his side.
"Bishop Arnold, there is a question. As the Archbishop of Cyprus, I cannot give in under any circumstances."
"You said."
Cardinal Arnold, licking his face, let Anthony express his opinion.
Now the two are walking in Anthony's Cathedral. This is not a formal meeting, but just a communication of opinions.
"The Acts of Barnabas is unmistakable. It and the large number of Letters of Barnabas are an inseparable part of the Bible, and the Holy See must recognize it."
When Arnold heard what Anthony said, he swallowed subconsciously. It was clearly winter in December, and as a result, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
This issue left over from history is indeed a bit scary.
Barnabas' status as an apostle is recognized in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.
Although he was not one of the Twelve Apostles, he played an important role in the early church. He had a close working relationship with the apostle Paul, the founder of Christianity, and the two engaged in missionary activities together.
He was even a key figure in the conversion of the apostle Paul. When Paul first converted to Christianity, he introduced and protected the other apostles and eliminated their doubts.
As an apostle born in Cyprus, he has a status in the Cyprus church that other apostles cannot match.
The Church of Cyprus has repeatedly claimed that Barnabas was the first apostle in history to be baptized by a Roman governor and directly led the conversion of the entire island. Therefore, it has a unique historical position in the Christian system.
During this process, the Church of Cyprus also produced the Letter of Barnabas and the Acts of Barnabas many times in an effort to prove its own uniqueness, saying that they are part of the Bible.
Of course, most Christian churches do not recognize this matter.
It was very difficult for the Holy See to compromise on this issue.
After all, "The Acts of Barnabas" has almost been defined as an apocrypha by the Holy See.
You can’t just admit a church’s apocrypha just to win over it, right?
What if the other party uses the contents of "The Acts of Barnabas" to criticize the Holy See at the ecumenical council...
Second update
(End of chapter)