Bogomilism
The heresy of Bogomilism appeared in the wider region of Thrace, in the mid-10th century. It combined neo-manichean beliefs with the views of Paulician migrants from Asia Minor and of local Slavonic ascetic mouvements. It proposed a dogmatic interpretation but also suggested an essential reformation of the ecclesiastical practice and of everyday life. The Bogomils survived up until the 15th c., despite the persecutions and repeated condamnation of their beliefs by the Church.

chrysobull
(gold seal) Imperial document of the Byzantine state which was so named because it bore the gold seal of the emperor.

didaskalos tou Euangeliou
(mean. «teacher of the Gospels», also known as oikoumenikos didaskalos). One of the three didaskaloi (teachers) of the Holy Scripture, attached to the Patriarchal School of Hagia Sophia, known from the Komnenian period. They were deacons and their duties revolved around exegesis and sermons.

Enthusiasm
A heretic ascetic mouvement, close to Messalianism. Entusiasm emerged in Syria in the 4th c. Its followers believed that only constant prayer made possible the salvation of the soul.

Messalianism
A heretic ascetic movement that emerged in the eastern Byzantine provinces in the 4th c. Its followers considered Baptism inadequate for the salvation of the soul.

monophysitism
A Christian heresy which developed in the 5th cent. Contrary to the orthodox dogmas, it argued that Christ did not possess two natures, but only one – a human nature. This heresy became widespread in the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire (mainly in Egypt) and in Armenia.