Features of the Polemic with the Bogomils in the Works of Euthymius Zigabenus ‘Against the Bogomils’ and ‘Sermon Against the Heretics’ of the Priest Cosmas

Abstract

The paper focuses on the issues of the anti-Bogomilic polemic that took place in Bulgaria in the 10^th century, and in Byzantium in the 11^th century. The polemic is considered on the basis of the first and most authoritative monuments of literature of this era, which were a reaction to the Bogomil heresy. These include «Sermon Against the Heretics» by the priest Cosmas, the Bulgarian writer, and «Against the Bogomils», which is a part of the «Dogmatic Panoply», written by the famous Byzantine theologian Euthymius Zigabenus. The research aims to clarify and compare the principles of polemicizing, which the representatives of the Bulgarian and Byzantine Churches were following. In addition, the the main content of these works is presented. The methodology of the study is based on the analysis, evaluation and comparison of the texts of the considered monuments of literature written by the priest Cosmas and Euthymius Zigabenus. In addition, a translation method was used for both works. As a result of the research, the topics that the authors reveal, the similarities and differences of both works, the nature of their polemics are clarified. Moreover, the article provides general information about the writings of Euthymius and the priest Cosmas.