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Saint Maximus the Greek on Latin Innovations: Filioque, Celibacy, and Unleavened Bread
19:29
What the video says
The text presents a polemical argument against Latin (Roman Catholic) liturgical and disciplinary practices from an Orthodox perspective. It cites apostolic canons and ecumenical councils to condemn Saturday fasting during Lent, the use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist, and the requirement of clerical celibacy as innovations contrary to apostolic tradition.
The author traces the use of leavened bread to Christ and all the apostles, identifies unleavened bread as a Jewish and Armenian heresy adopted by Latins, and defends the validity of married priesthood. He concludes by appealing to the authority of Metropolitan Daniel of Russia and asserting that only God can correct the grave errors separating Latins from Greeks.
Key moments
- Apostolic Canon 64 forbids fasting on Saturdays (except Great Saturday) under penalty of deposition for clergy and excommunication for laity.
- A council presided by Pope Agatho and Gregory of Agrigentum decreed that the Roman Church must observe the canon against Saturday fasting; the author notes Latins fast until the 9th hour (3 PM) while the divine service is at the 3rd hour (9 AM).
- Regarding priestly marriage: dissolving the marriage of a man ordained after marrying and living chastely is lawlessness; Clement of Rome and Apostolic Canon 5 forbid clergy from putting away their wives under pretense of piety.
- The Sixth Ecumenical Council (under Pope Agatho) legislated against Latin practices including unleavened bread, Saturday fasting, and mandatory clerical celibacy; Canon 13 declares lawful cohabitation of clergy with wives inviolate.
- Unleavened bread (azymes) is rejected: Christ called himself 'leavened bread' (John 6), used bread (artos) at the Last Supper, and all Eastern patriarchates use leavened bread; only Jews, Armenians, and Latins use unleavened bread.
- Apostolic Canon 70 and Laodicea Canon 11 forbid clergy and laity from accepting or eating unleavened bread of the Jews, under penalty of deposition or excommunication.
- All apostles (Peter in Antioch, James in Jerusalem, Mark in Alexandria, Thomas in Persia/India, etc.) celebrated with leavened bread; the Latin practice originated later from the Armenians via Apollinarius.
- The separation of Latins from Greeks occurred under Constantine and Irene; the author commends further study to Metropolitan Daniel of Russia and asserts the errors of the Latins are so great only God can correct them.
This post presents the second part of Saint Maximus the Greek’s “Response to Nicholas the Latin,” a polemical work defending Orthodox tradition against Latin (Roman Catholic) practices. Drawing on apostolic canons, ecumenical councils, and patristic testimony, Saint Maximus argues that four key Latin innovations lack foundation in the ancient Church: the addition of the Filioque to the Creed, fasting on Saturdays, mandatory clerical celibacy, and the use of unleavened bread (azymes) in the Eucharist.
He contends that the Filioque has no support among the Holy Fathers; that Saturday fasting violates Apostolic Canon 64, which forbids fasting on Saturdays except Great Saturday; that compulsory celibacy contradicts the Apostolic Canons and Canon 13 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, which uphold the lawful marriage of clergy; and that unleavened bread derives from Jewish and Armenian practice, condemned by Apostolic Canon 70 and Laodicea Canon 11. Saint Maximus traces the universal use of leavened bread to Christ and all the apostles, noting that only Jews, Armenians, and Latins adopted azymes.
He links the division between the Churches to the Latins’ departure from conciliar and apostolic teaching, while affirming Orthodox fidelity to the original Tradition. The text concludes by commending further study to Metropolitan Daniel of Russia and asserting that the errors separating Latins from Greeks are so grave that only God can correct them.
Main points
- The Filioque clause lacks patristic support and was added to the Creed without conciliar authority.
- Saturday fasting during Lent violates Apostolic Canon 64, which permits fasting only on Great Saturday.
- Mandatory clerical celibacy contradicts Apostolic Canon 5 and Canon 13 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, which protect the marriage of clergy.
- Unleavened bread (azymes) is rejected as a Jewish and Armenian innovation; Christ and all apostles used leavened bread (artos).
- The schism stems from Latin departure from apostolic and conciliar tradition, while the Orthodox maintain the original faith.