Germanos Adam
Encyclopedia
Germanos Adam was the Melkite Catholic
bishop
of Aleppo
during the late 18th century and a Christian theologian.
, Syria
, and studied in the College of the Propaganda in Rome
. In 1774 he was consecrated Melkite Catholic bishop of Acre
. In 1777 he became archbishop of Aleppo; anyway due to the persecution by the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch he dwelt for most of his life in Zouk Mikael
, Lebanon
. From 1792 to 1798 he traveled in Italy
where he came in contact with Jansenist circles and in particular with Scipione de' Ricci
.
Returned to Syria he was highly esteemed by Patriarch Agapius II Matar
and played an important role in the 1806 Melkite Catholic Church's synod
in Qarqafe (or Karkafeh).
Germanos Adam died in Zouk Mikael on 10 November 1809.
and Jansenists (like Febronius), which he read during his studies in Rome, and mainly by his 1792-8 travel in Italy where he became friend of the Jansenist Scipione de' Ricci.
Consequently in his 1799 book "Réponse de Mgr Germain Adam éveque d'Alep et de ses environs à l'ouvrage intitulé: Voix des Perés missionaires" Adam supported the doctrine of Conciliarism
, and stated that the papal authority was more honorary than actual. Further he affirmed that an explicit epiclesis
was essential in the Eucharistic consecration, a statement that implied the non-validity of the Latin Rite Mass
.
His works were attacked by the Maronite Patriarch Joseph Tyan
who in March 1801 wrote an encyclical
to his faithfuls against Adam's ideas, but the Melkite Patriarch Agapius II Matar
in June 1801 defended the doctrine of Adam as correct. Moreover Germanos Adam wrote a catechism
that was used for popular instruction. Adam's doctrine was confirmed by the 1806 Melkite synod
of Qarqafe, which acts were signed also by Patriarch Joseph Tyen and by Aloisio Gandolfi, the Apostolic Legate.
The next years were marked by the reaction to his ideas. Adam himself made amends for the sacrament
al part of his work and before he died he humbly submitted all his works to Rome for examination. In 1812 a formal condemnation of the Jansenist and Gallican doctrine, issued by Propaganda Fide, was signed by all the Eastern Catholic Churches. On 3 June 1816 Pope Pius VII
condemned Adam's works and his catechism. The actions of the 1806 Melkite Synod of Qarqafe were finally condemned by the Apostolic Letter Melchitarum Catholicorum Synodus (Of the synod of Melkite Catholics) issued by Pope Gregory XVI
on 3 June 1835.
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Aleppo
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
during the late 18th century and a Christian theologian.
Life
Germanos Adam was born in 1725 in AleppoAleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, and studied in the College of the Propaganda in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In 1774 he was consecrated Melkite Catholic bishop of Acre
Acre, Israel
Acre , is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country....
. In 1777 he became archbishop of Aleppo; anyway due to the persecution by the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch he dwelt for most of his life in Zouk Mikael
Zouk Mikael
Zouk Mikael is a town in the Keserwan District of Mount Lebanon. The town is famous for its Ottoman era old souk, which was renovated and restored in 1995...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. From 1792 to 1798 he traveled in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
where he came in contact with Jansenist circles and in particular with Scipione de' Ricci
Scipione de' Ricci
Scipione de' Ricci was an Italian Catholic prelate, who was bishop of Pistoia from 1780 to 1791. He was sympathetic to Jansenist ideas in theology....
.
Returned to Syria he was highly esteemed by Patriarch Agapius II Matar
Agapius II Matar
Agapius II Matar, was Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1796 to 1812.-Life:...
and played an important role in the 1806 Melkite Catholic Church's synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
in Qarqafe (or Karkafeh).
Germanos Adam died in Zouk Mikael on 10 November 1809.
Doctrine
The doctrine of Germanos Adam was deeply influenced by the theological works of the 18th century GallicansGallicanism
Gallicanism is the belief that popular civil authority—often represented by the monarchs' authority or the State's authority—over the Catholic Church is comparable to that of the Pope's...
and Jansenists (like Febronius), which he read during his studies in Rome, and mainly by his 1792-8 travel in Italy where he became friend of the Jansenist Scipione de' Ricci.
Consequently in his 1799 book "Réponse de Mgr Germain Adam éveque d'Alep et de ses environs à l'ouvrage intitulé: Voix des Perés missionaires" Adam supported the doctrine of Conciliarism
Conciliarism
Conciliarism, or the conciliar movement, was a reform movement in the 14th, 15th and 16th century Roman Catholic Church which held that final authority in spiritual matters resided with the Roman Church as a corporation of Christians, embodied by a general church council, not with the pope...
, and stated that the papal authority was more honorary than actual. Further he affirmed that an explicit epiclesis
Epiclesis
The epiclesis is that part of the Anaphora by which the priest invokes the Holy Spirit upon the Eucharistic bread and wine in some Christian churches.In most Eastern Christian traditions, the Epiclesis comes after the Anamnesis The epiclesis (also spelled epiklesis; from "invocation" or...
was essential in the Eucharistic consecration, a statement that implied the non-validity of the Latin Rite Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
.
His works were attacked by the Maronite Patriarch Joseph Tyan
Joseph Tyan
Joseph VII Peter Tyan , , was the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch from 1796 until his resignation in 1809.-Life:...
who in March 1801 wrote an encyclical
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
to his faithfuls against Adam's ideas, but the Melkite Patriarch Agapius II Matar
Agapius II Matar
Agapius II Matar, was Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1796 to 1812.-Life:...
in June 1801 defended the doctrine of Adam as correct. Moreover Germanos Adam wrote a catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
that was used for popular instruction. Adam's doctrine was confirmed by the 1806 Melkite synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
of Qarqafe, which acts were signed also by Patriarch Joseph Tyen and by Aloisio Gandolfi, the Apostolic Legate.
The next years were marked by the reaction to his ideas. Adam himself made amends for the sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
al part of his work and before he died he humbly submitted all his works to Rome for examination. In 1812 a formal condemnation of the Jansenist and Gallican doctrine, issued by Propaganda Fide, was signed by all the Eastern Catholic Churches. On 3 June 1816 Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
condemned Adam's works and his catechism. The actions of the 1806 Melkite Synod of Qarqafe were finally condemned by the Apostolic Letter Melchitarum Catholicorum Synodus (Of the synod of Melkite Catholics) issued by Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI , born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846...
on 3 June 1835.