Anathema is an ecclesiastical term, the word is translated from Greek as "far away" and "set" and means rejection, excommunication. To anathematize is to excommunicate a believer or clergyman from the church.
Church curse is the term of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, priests not only excommunicated heretics from the church, but also cursed them. The ritual of giving anathema itself looked intimidating, and the excommunicated had to be present. In the Orthodox Church, those who are anathematized, do not want evil, are given the opportunity to save their souls and return to the bosom of the church.
Who can be anathematized?
Anathemas betray those who blasphemed God or committed a mortal sin. Because of anti-church views and hard-hitting statements about priests, they can also be excommunicated from the church.
At all times, dissenting and revolutionary-minded people have been anathematized. They did not have the right to attend church and participate in divine services, they had to solve all spiritual issues on their own, without turning to a clergyman.
Famous people who are anathematized
In Russia, the most famous case of anathema occurred at the end of the 19th century - the famous writer Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy was excommunicated from the church. However, this fact has not yet been confirmed. According to some sources, the clergy were dissatisfied with the anti-Christian motives in the writer's works and his statements, but they did not make a decision on excommunication.
The Catholic Church, unlike the Orthodox, in the Middle Ages not only anathematized, but also deprived of the life of dissidents. The most famous heretic is Giordano Bruno, who was executed for his astronomical studies, political views and magic.
Another well-known fact of anathema occurred in Europe in the 15th century, when Jan Hus was executed by Catholics. This thinker and reformer was excommunicated and deprived of his life because of his political views and the condemnation of clergy. Husa believed that the clergy did not keep God's commandments.
In 2003, the Orthodox Church anathematized Lyubov Panova, who wrote the book Revelations of Guardian Angels. The priests called what Panova wrote blasphemy and an insult to Christian beliefs. Subsequently, she tried to justify herself before the diocesan administration, but she never made a public apology.
The Catholic and Orthodox Church at all times, thanks to anathema, got rid of people with anti-religious sentiments and revolutionary views. But every excommunicated person could repent and ask for forgiveness in order to return God's mercy.
