Cabasilas

(Νεῖλος Καβασίλας), archbishop of Thessalonica, lived according to some about A. D. 1314, and according to others somewhat later, about 1340, in the reign of the emperor Joannes Cantacuzenus. He was a bitter opponent of the doctrines of the Latin Church, whence he is severely censured by modern writers of that church, whereas Greek and even Protestant writers speak of him in terms of high praise. Works

Cabasilas is the author of several works, of which, however, two only have yet appeared in print. Works in print

1. An oration on the cause of the schism between the Latin and Greek churches (περὶ τῶν αἰτιῶν τῆς ἐκκλησιαστικῆς διαστάσεως).

2. A small work on the primacy of the pope (περὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ πάπα). Editions

The first edition of the latter treatise, with a Latin translation by Mathias Flacius, appeared at Frankfurt in 1555, in small 8vo. This was followed by the editions of B. Vulcanius, Lugd. Bat. 1595, 8vo. and of Salmasius, Hanover, 1608, 8vo. This last edition contains also a work of Barlaam, on the same subject, with notes by the editor, and also the first edition of the oration of Cabasilas on the schism between the two churches, which Salmasius has printed as the second book of the work on the primacy of the pope. Translation

Of this latter work there is an English translation by Thomas Gressop, London, 1560, 8vo. Works not yet printed

A list of the works of Neilus Cabasilas which have not yet been printed is given by Fabricius. Further Information

Bibl. Graec. x. p. 20, &c.; comp. Wharton's Appendix to Cave's Hist. Lit. i. p. 34, &c., vol. ii. p. 521, &c. ed. London. [L.S]

(Νικόλαος Καβασίλας), archbishop of Thessalonica, was the nephew and successor of Neilus Cabasilas, with whom he has often been confounded. He lived about A. D. 1350. He first held a high office at the imperial court of Constantinople, and in that capacity he was sent in 1346 by Joannes, patriarch of Constantinople, to the emperor Cantacuzenus to induce him to resign the imperial dignity. In the year following he was sent by the emperor Cantacuzenus himself, who had then conquered and entered the city, to the palace of the empress Anna, to lay before her the terms of peace proposed by the conqueror. (Cantacuz. Hist. Byz. 4.39, &c., 14.16.) Nicolaus Cabasilas, who was a man of great learning, wrote several works, of which however only a few have been published, perhaps because he was, like his uncle, a vehement antagonist of the Latin church. Works

The following works have appeared in print: 1. Ἑρμηνεία κεφαλειώδης &c.

that is, a compendious explanation of the holy mass or liturgy. Editions Latin Editions

It first appeared in a Latin translation by Gentianus Heruetianus, Venice, 1548, 8vo., from whence it was reprinted in the "Liturgia SS. Patrum," edited by J. S. Andreas and F. C. de Sainctes, Paris, 1560, fol., and Antwerp, 1562, 8vo., and also in the Biblioth. Patr. xxvi. p. 173, ed. Lugd. Greek Editions

The Greek original was first edited by Fronto Ducaeus in the Auctarium to the Bibl. Patr. of 1624, vol. ii. p. 200, &c. 2. A work on the life of Christ

in six books, in which, however, the author treats principally of baptism, the last unction, and the eucharist. Editions

This work is as yet published only in a Latin version by J. Pontanus, together with some other works, and also an oration of Nicol. Cabasilas against usury, Ingolstadt, 1604, 4to. From this edition it was reprinted in the Bibl. Patr. xxvi. p. 136, ed. Lugd.

In some MSS. this work consists of seven books, but the seventh has never appeared in print. 3. An oration on Usury and against Usurers Editions

A Latin translation was published by J. Pontanus together with Cabasilas' life of Christ. The Greek original of this oration appeared at August. Vindel. 1595 by D. Hoeschel, and was afterwards published in a more correct form, together with the oration of Epiphanius on the burial of Christ, by S. Simonides, Samoscii, 1604, 4to. Other works

The many other orations and theological works of Nicolaus Cabasilas, which have not yet been printed, are enumerated in Fabric. Further Information

Bibl. Graec. x. p. 25. &c.; comp. Wharton's Appendix to Cave's Hist. Lit. i. p. 44. ed. London. [L.S]