Belényesy Károly: Pálos kolostorok az Abaúji-Hegyalján (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén megye régészeti emlékei 3. Miskolc, 2004)

PAULINE FRIARIES IN THE ABAÚJ HEGYALJA REGION

communities. As a result, in 1256 Pope Alexander IV united the smaller hermit communities under the name of Hermits of St Augustin, and prohibited the establishment of new orders. The numerous and increasing hermit groups were regulated in several dioceses during the thirteenth century in the Hungarian Kingdom. Along with the tradition, Bishop Bartholomew had given rules to the hermits, living above the Patacs Hill already in 1225. In 1263, seven communities, "Quorum nomina haec sunt: Insula Pilup Sancta Helenae,

4 Kewkuwth Sanctae Maria Magdalene? Bokon Sanci Jacobi, Idegsyt Beatae Elisabeth,

1 Bodochun Sancti Emerici, Insula prope Ewrmenes, Elek sancta Mariae Magdalenae,

9 Zakach Sancti Dominici requested the Pope to approve their lifestyle according to St Augustine's Rule. Although Paul, the authorized bishop of Veszprém provided rules in that diocese when he visited the communities, prohibited the further development of the group. In 1297, Andrew, Bishop of Eger also gave guideline of lifestyle for the hermits living in that diocese. Documentary evidence report that despite the restrictions and the bishopric authority, the number of hermit communities rose. The demand for their integral organization can be first traced in 1263. A the same time, the Pilis community, which, according to the tradition was founded by Brother Özséb" himself and six of his followers, around 1250, being situated and having very close connections with the royal court, took the lead of the movement. This group, namely the fratres sancte crucis de eremo, under which name they are still often mentioned at the beginning of the fourteenth century, became the core of the later Pauline Order, however, the community developed and became legally approved in the first half of the fourteenth century. 4 This monastery is not mentioned by any further sources. The site of the monastery, which is referred as Pilup, scholars associated with Pilis. Basedon that idea, this hermitage is usually identified with the Holy Cross Monastery above Kesztölc, founded by Brother Özséb. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to note that this hypothesis is supported by only the presumed explanation of one word! Recently, Insula Pilup was identified with the medieval church ruin located in Nagykovácsi-Puszta. See Ászai-Szabó, 1998. 5 Kőkút, or Köveskút; equal with Salföld monastery (County Veszprém). 6 Bakonyszenljakab (Veszprém County). 7 This monastery is only mentioned by this 1263 charter, still not localized (County Veszprém?). 8 Badacsony, St Emerich monastery (Veszprém County). Island Elek, near Örményes, Mary Magdalene monastery. Later moved to Örményes (Zala County). 10 Szakácsi, St Dominic monastery (County Somogy). 11 According to the Pauline tradition, he was the founder of the Pauline order, and the first provincial prior. However, this fact is only supported by Gyöngyössy, in his Vitae from the midsixteenth century (Hervay, 1988.) No direct medieval written evidence verifies this idea. The background of the progress and the growth of hermit colonies can presumably be explained with the moderate wishes, simple spirituality of the order, which was adapted to special local demands. These features became soon popular among the lower and middle layers of the nobility. Gentilis, the papal legate, recognized the vigorous social background of the monasteries, which stood on the eve of becoming a recognized order at around that time. In 1308, when trying to gain support for the Angevin Dynasty, he allowed for the hermits to live in accordance with the rules of St Augustin.

12 The new center of the approved order soon became the Budaszentlörinc monastery. The order, which nominated itself as Brothers of St Paul the Hermit from that time held its first general chapter there in 1309. The inventory of Ladislaus, the Archbishop of Kalocsa from 1327 mentions altogether thirty communities, at some places twelve- fifteen- twenty brothers, with enough goods to live on.

13 In 1328, as a result of this report, Pope John XXII permitted the monks to follow the rules of St Augustin and elect general prior, who had the right to visit, discipline, and to absolve from excommunication. Moreover, from that onwards, their lands were exempted from paying tithe, and they were excused from diocesan councils, which meant that they were separated from the local ecclesiastical organization. Finally, in 1368 Pope Urban V, at the request of the Hungarian king Louis the Great approved and ratified the order.

14 From 1341 onwards, members of the order wear white clothing. Priors, who were nominated by the yearly general chapter, led the monasteries. The vicars worked as diffinitors, supporters of the general prior, and participated chapter meetings. The new leader of the order was elected from among them, who, from 1417 onwards, could only be elected at the main chapter held in Hungary.

15 From 1439, his mandate was valid for four years. Monasteries could send independent legates to attend chapter meetings, but usually these delegates had little impact on the decisions. In 1381, relics of St Paul the Hermit were transferred to Hungary, which is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the order. The decorative tomb, which was built for the relics at Budaszentlörinc, In 1308 legate Gentilis met Máté Csák to discass the approre of King Charles I in the hermit's house at Kékes (Pilisszentlászló). The selection of dislocality dearly implies the strong contact betiseen the legate and the hermits. 1 At the request of Pope John XXII, Stephen, prior principal of the order entrusted Ladislaus, Archbishop of Kalocsa to make an inventory about Pauline brothers. 14 Later, on the 17

,h October in 1371, Pope Gregory XI issued a bull entitled Mare magnum, in which he summarized the privileges of the order. At the request of King Sigismund Pope Martin V issued his bull on 28

th of December 1417, in which it is stated that only the general prior cannot be elected elsewhere, but in Hungary.