Gennadius Scholarius - Council of Florence

Council of Florence

Georgios is believed to have been born in Constantinople in c.1400 and had been a teacher of philosophy before entering the service of the emperor John VIII Palaeologus as a theological advisor. Georgios first appears in history when, as judge in the civil courts under John VIII (1425–1448), he accompanied his Emperor to the Council of Basel, held in 1438-1439 in Ferrara and Florence. The object of this endeavor was bringing a union between the Greek and Latin Churches, which he supported at that time. He made four speeches at the council - all exceedingly conciliatory, and wrote a refutation of the first eighteen of Mark of Ephesus' syllogistic chapters against the Latins.

At the same council appeared the celebrated Platonist, Gemistus Pletho, the most powerful opponent of the then dominant Aristotelianism, and consequently an antagonist of Georgios. In church matters, as in philosophy, the two were opposed — Pletho advocated a partial return to Greek paganism in the form of a syncretic union between Christianity and Zoroastrianism; while Georgios, more cautious, pressed the necessity for ecclesiastical union with Rome on doctrinal grounds, and was instrumental in drawing up a form which from its vagueness and ambiguity might be accepted by both parties. Georgios was at a serious disadvantage because, being a layman, he could not directly take part in the discussions of the council.