Practical Dimensions of the «Symphony» of St. Emperor Justinian: State Coercion and Church Law and Order

Abstract

The article considers the theory of “symphony” (consent) of civil and church power (“Kingdom” and “Priesthood”), set forth by Emperor Justinian I in the preamble to his 6th short story (535) as an answer to the doctrines of the popes of the late V – early VI centuries Gelasius and Simmach. The latter claimed the superiority of the priesthood and its exclusive charge of church affairs. In contrast, Justinian speaks not of the ratio of two foreign societies, but of the ratio of two ministries in a single church-state body. At the same time, limiting the activities of the priesthood to worship, the imperial government takes care of “true dogmas” and “the honor of priests,” as well as the observance of canons, i.e., Church arrangement.