a brother of Joannes Eugenicus, who was a celebrated ecclesiastical writer, none of whose
works, however, has yet appeared in print. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. xi.
p. 653. )
M. Eugenicus was by birth a Greek, and in early life he was engaged as a schoolmaster and
teacher of rhetoric. But his great learning and his eloquence raised him to the highest
dignities in the church, and about A. D. 1436 he succeeded Josephus
as archbishop of Ephesus. Two years later, he accompanied the emperor Joannes Palaeologus to
the council of Florence, in which he took a very prominent part; for he represented not only
his own diocese, but acted as proxy for the patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem. He opposed
the Latin church with as much bitterness as He defended the rights of the Greek church with
zeal. In the beginning of the discussions at the council, this disposition drew upon him the
displeasure of the emperor, who was anxious to reunite the two churches, and also of the pope
Eugenius. This gave rise to most vehement disputes, in which the Greeks chose Eugenicus as
their spokesman and champion. As he was little acquainted with the dialectic subtleties and
the scholastic philosophy, in which the prelates of the West far surpassed him, he was at
first defeated by the cardinal Julian; but afterwards, when Bessarion became his ally, the
eloquence of Eugenicus threw all the council into amazement. The vehemence and bitterness of
his invectives against the Latins, however, was so great, that a report was soon spread and
believed, that he was out of his mind; and even Bessarion called him an evil spirit (cacodaemon). At the close of the council, when the other bishops were ready
to acknowledge the claims of the pope, and were ordered by the emperor to sign the decrees of
the council, Eugenicus alone steadfastly refused to yield, and neither threats nor promises
could induce him to alter his determination. The union of the two churches, however, was
decreed. On his return to Constantinople, he was received by the people with the greatest
enthusiasm, and the most extravagant veneration was paid him. During the
remainder of his life he continued to oppose the Latin church wherever he could; and it was
mainly owing to his influence that, after his death, the union was broken off. For, on his
death-bed in 1447, he solemnly requested Georgius Scholarius, to continue the struggle against
the Latins, which he himself had carried on, and Georgius promised, and faithfully kept his
word. The funeral oration on Eugenicus was delivered by the same friend, Georgius.
Works
M. Eugenicus was the author of many works, most of which were directed against the Latin
church, whence they were attacked by those Greeks who were in favour of that church, such as
Joseph of Methone, Bessarion, and others. The following are printed either entire or in
part.
1. A Letter to the emperor Palaeologus
in which he cautions the Greeks against the council of Florence, and exposes the intrigues
of the Latins.
Editions
It is printed, with a Latin version and an answer by Joseph of Methone, in Labbeus,
Concil. vol. xiii. p. 677.
2. A Circular
addressed to all Christendom, on the same subject.
Editions
It is printed in Labbeus, 1. c. p. 740, with an answer by Gregorius
Protosyneellus.
3. A Treatise on Liturgical Subjects
in which he maintains the spiritual power of the priesthood.
Editions
It is printed in the Liturgiae, p. 138, ed. Paris, 1560.
4. A Profession of Faith
Editions
of which a fragment, with a Latin translation, is printed in Allatius, de Consensu 3.3.4.
5. A Letter to the emperor Palaeologus
Editions
of which a fragment is given in Allatius, de Synolo
Octaxa, 14, p. 544.
Other works still in MS.
His other works are still extant in MS., but have never been published. A list of them is
given by Fabricius.
Further Information
Bibl. Graec. vol. xi. p. 670,&c.; comp. Cave, Hist
Lit. vol. i. Appendix, p. 111, &c.