The History of Byzantium Episode 331 - The Last Hope
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Jun 20, 2025 The tale of John VIII Palaiologos unfolds as he seeks to unite the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches amidst looming Ottoman threats. A surprising endorsement from the Pope leads to a grand diplomatic mission to Italy. The podcast examines the complexities of the Union of Florence and the initial hope for Christian unity. However, internal divisions plague the Byzantine clergy as the Ottoman Empire grows stronger. The struggles of leadership in the face of impending doom highlight the desperate circumstances of a fading empire.
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Church Union as Last Hope
- John VIII Palaiologos saw church union as the last hope to save Byzantium from the Ottomans.
- Negotiating an ecumenical council with the Pope aimed to unite Orthodox and Catholic churches for a crusade.
Byzantine Delegation in Italy
- In 1438, John VIII and 700 Byzantine clergy traveled to Italy for a council to discuss church union.
- The discussions moved from Ferrara to Florence due to plague, lasting 18 months amid tense negotiations.
Compromise in Doctrinal Disputes
- The union agreement accepted Latin and Byzantine doctrinal differences with compromises.
- Papal supremacy was acknowledged but balanced "without prejudice to the rights of the Eastern patriarchs."