The Hidden Tradition in Europe

by Yuri Stoyanov

The main esoteric "schools" of religious and mystical theory and practice in Europe between the turn of the era and the Middle Ages are gnosticism, merkabah and catharism. Stoyanov shows how these and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140193197
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Penguin Group USA
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.8" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Good history, some crankish notions

A collaboration between Penguin, the respectable market leader in classic texts, and Arkana, house publishers for Wiccans, New Agers and cranks of all and every kind, is a remarkable thing indeed. It practically defines this book, which straddles the borderline between scholarly textbook with real academic distinction, and crank-fest.Its treatment of its main subject - the medieval dualist religions that arose in various parts of the Christian world from Anatolia to Languedoc - is excellent. There is continuous reference to primary documents in half a dozen or more languages, and a profound and nuanced knowledge of affairs in areas some of which are particularly obscure - its treatment of the origin of the Bogomil heresy in Bulgaria is masterly, although on the other hand the so-called Bosnian Church is treated in too cursive a manner. A healthy but not excessive dose of scepticism tells us where documents are insufficient or lacking, where hypotheses, however attractive (such as that of an original contact between the Cathars of South France and the dualists of the Byzantine east), are not provable, or where, conversely, evidence exists and is telling. And in spite of the fact that the telling of this history is bound to be adverse to the Catholic Church - which was at its worst, itching for crusades and State suppression, just as these religions were at their height - it is a telling reflex on Dr.Stoyanov's fairness and scruple that he rejects a number of anti-Catholic legends, including the notion that the conflict between Catholics and "Bosnian Church" caused the collapse of Bosnia into Ottoman hands and the mass conversion of Bosnians to Islam. The story, he says, is unsubstantiated, and existing evidence does not fit it; and there's an end. This is a first-rate historical synthesis, bringing together a large amount of fields and documents in a spirit of real open-minded investigation.The cranky side, and the reason why this otherwise sober and responsible piece of history must have appealed to the faddists of Arkana, is that Dr.Stoyanov actually believes that there exists a dualist "hidden tradition" in Europe which is alternative to Christianity, and of which his subject are manifestations. For this reason, he spends a considerable amount of space describing - not without learning - a number of Classical and Eastern traditions, from Zoroastrianism to Pythagoreanism to Manicheism and all the way to Buddhism, which he feels have gone to form his "hidden tradition" of dualism, as manifested in Paulicianism, Bogomilism, Catharism, and the "Bosnian Church".This is an untenable view for several reasons. Firstly, and A PRIORI, the very idea of a counter-Christian "apostolic succession", handing down the torch of dualism from cult to cult, is far too like one of the basic ideas of Christianity - apostolic succession, exactly - not to suggest a subconscious desire to shape something in the image of the enemy; that is, not a historical objec

It will long remain the clasic history of Christian heresy

This fascinating book surveys nearly three thousand years of religious history to reveal the ancient roots of the secret and suppressed teachings of Christian hereticies and sects, namely the enigmatic Cathars and Bogomils. The scope of the book is thus vast, it covers religious developments in a wide-ranging historical and religious context, from Central Asia to Languedoc, describing a multitude of exotic and esoteric doctrines, myths and belief systems as well as secret sects and underground heretical movements. The author of the acclaimed Dictionary of the Khazars, Milorad Pavic, has compared Yuri Stoyanov with Umberto Eco not only for his narrative skills but also for his ablity to integrate in a single whole little known esoteric and heretical traditions extant both in the East and West Christian worlds as well as to chart the uneven flow of religious and spirtual influences emanating from the Asian East. Dilligently researched and elegantly written, this book will long remain the classic study of the secret and apparent roots and history of Christian heresies, sects and cults

Fascinating historical detective study of a hidden world

This superb book offers a fascinating exploration of the hidden world of heresies, sects and cults in late antique and medieval Europe and the Middle East. It is a must reading for everyone interested in the clandestine or esoteric trends in European and Middle eastern religious history; it reveals multitudes of novel insights into European religious development and a wealth of new data about sectarian, cultic and clandestine groups and their history. Compellingly narrated, it will please the most demanding readers and has a telling relevance for a number of new sectarian and esoteric trends in modern religion in Europe, USA, Asia, etc. Critical reading for all lovers of historical, religious and esoteric mysteries

Compelling and highly acclaimed historical narrative.

Since in March, 1995 I organized the book launch of The Hidden Tradition in Europe in London, I have pleasure in presenting here a selection of quotes from reviews of this compelling and widely acclaimed book. You can use some of these quotes in your attractive Web page for the book which undoubtedly will increase its appeal. The quotes are as follows: 'A fascinating piece of detective work...throwing new light on the sudden rise and spread of the Great Heresy of the Bogomils and Cathars' Heythrop Journal, vol.XXXVII,January 1997; 'Like Umberto Eco, Yuri Stoyanov is one of the rare "complete" Europeans...His book helps us to think of Europe in a more exact and just way, creating conditions for us to grasp the spiritual balance which in Europe have lost' Milorad Pavic, author of The Dictionary of the Khazars'; '(A) well-written, fact-filled and fascinating book...has in it the makings of a classic' - Prof. H. Norris in Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies,vol.60,Part 1,1997; 'A splendid account of the decline of the dualist tradition in the East...both strong and accessible...The most readable account of Balkan heresy ever' - Prof. Jeffrey B. Russell in The Journal of Relgion,vol.76,No.3,July 1996; 'The achievement is considerable: a wide ranging exposition of the immense varieties of beliefs under the genreal umbrella of dualism...Deserves to replace Steven Runciman's Medieval Manichee' - Dr.M.Lambert in Journal of Ecclesiastical History, vol47,No.4,October 1996; 'A book of prime importance for anyone interested in the history of religious dualism...The author's knowledge of relevant original source is remarkable and he has distilled them into a convincing and very readable whole' - Sir Steven Runciman; '(A) tour de force...Its fascination lies in the way Stoyanov weaves in his story known and unknown, blending biblico-literary references with dualist enigmas...Deserves to be read by al those who want to familiarize themselves with the phenomenon of medieval sectarianism which in turn may hold key to modern-day sectarianism' - Dr E.Farrugia in Orientalia Christiana periodica, vol.61, I, 1995; 'A remarkable achievement...a contribution to the history of religious thought...I know of no other scholarly work which deals with the subject over such a long period of time (some 2,000 years) and in such a wide cultural context(from Bactria to Languedoc' - Prof.Bernard Hamilton in Nottingham Medieval Studies, vol.XL, 1996; 'The most fascinating historical detective story since Steven Runciman's Sicilian Vespers' - Colin Wilson. I hope that you will fund these quotes from reviews useful and will include some of them in your Web page for The Hidden Tradition in Europe. Zorica Radoslavljaic