History of ethics and morality of the 9th century.

What is it about?

In the article author came to conclusion that in many cases The responses of the Pope Nicolas I. on the questions of Bulgarians (Nicolai I. papae response ad consulta Bulgarorum) is very progressive or modern interpretation of the fundaments of Western Christian ethics and morality. He shows it for instance within his expressions regarding sexual morality, where pope refused sexual abstinence during pre-Easter fasting, sexual intercourse between man and woman should be avoided just on Sunday and should be determined for spiritual matters. On the other hand, however, he strictly refused bigamy disregarding who was it related to, thus even kings or aristocracy. He took very progressive stand in relation to his preference towards reaching and keeping peace, therefore he supports signing the peace treaties and keeping them as well. However, it did not stand for a pacific statement because he offered the possibility of war and protecting the priorities of Christianity on behalf of religion. However, presented statement offered many possibilities for a subjective interpretation what has been confirmed even in case of the pope himself, who supported Frankish Empire king Louis the German in his campaign against Great-Moravian emperor Rastislav in 864. The statement of Nicholas I regarding punishment and especially in relation to capital punishment can be considered as modern and generous. Pope declared in favour of the support of pro-life statements and preferred repentance prior to strict secular punishments that should be supported even by approval of cathedral asylum for sinners who had escaped their judgment and punishment to cathedrals. Author holds the view that pope’s recommendations to Bulgarians are probably the first integrated, although not systematic, interpretation of the fundaments of Western Christian ethics and morality. According to his opinion, it’s a pity that medieval Western Christianity did not use the potential from stated norms of Christian ethics and morality, as after the death of Nicholas I, the period of decline of the pope’s power what has negatively influenced ethics and morality of Western Christianity.

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