Aeneas of Paris facts for kids
Aeneas of Paris was an important church leader, known as the bishop of Paris from 858 until he died on 27 December 870. He is most famous for writing a book that discussed differences between the Western Christian Church (Latin Church) and the Eastern Christian Church (Byzantines or Greeks).
Aeneas and His Writings
Aeneas wrote his well-known book, Liber adversus Græcos, which means "Book Against the Greeks." He wrote this book because of letters sent by a leader named Photius from the Eastern Church.
What His Book Was About
Aeneas's book talked about several important differences between the two churches. These included:
- How the Holy Spirit works.
- Whether clergy (like priests) should be allowed to marry.
- Rules about fasting.
- How babies were baptized.
- The special haircuts some clergy had.
- The important role of the Pope in Rome.
Aeneas believed that the arguments the Eastern Church had against the Western Church were "unnecessary questions" that were more about worldly things than spiritual ones. His book was mainly a collection of quotes from important church leaders, both Greek and Latin.
His Approval as Bishop
Around 856, another important figure named Prudentius of Troyes wrote a letter about Aeneas. In this letter, called Epistola tractoria ad Wenilonem, Prudentius said he would approve Aeneas becoming the Bishop of Paris only if Aeneas agreed with four specific ideas about double predestination (a religious belief about destiny).
