Editing Catharism (section)

== Origins ==
The origins of the Cathars' beliefs are unclear, but most theories agree they came from the [[Byzantine Empire]], mostly by the [[trade route]]s and spread from the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] to the [[Netherlands]]. The movement was greatly influenced by the [[Bogomilism|Bogomils]] of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]],{{sfn|Peters|1980|p=108|loc=The Cathars}} and may have originated in the [[Byzantine Empire]], namely through adherents of the [[Paulicianism|Paulician]] movement in [[Armenia]] and eastern [[Anatolia]] who were resettled in [[Thrace]] ([[Plovdiv|Philippopolis]]).

The name of [[Bulgarians]] ({{lang|fr|Bougres}}) was also applied to the Albigensians, and they maintained an association with the similar Christian movement of the [[Bogomilism|Bogomils]] ("Friends of God") of [[Thrace]]. "That there was a substantial transmission of ritual and ideas from Bogomilism to Catharism is beyond reasonable doubt."{{sfnp|Lambert|1998|p=31}} Their doctrines have numerous resemblances to those of the Bogomils and the [[Paulicianism|Paulicians]], who influenced them,{{sfnp|Alphandéry|1911|p=505}} as well as the earlier [[Marcianists]], who were found in the same areas as the Paulicians, the [[Manicheans]] and the Christian [[Gnostics]] of the first few centuries AD, although, as many scholars, most notably [[Mark Gregory Pegg|Mark Pegg]], have pointed out, it would be erroneous to extrapolate direct, historical connections based on theoretical similarities perceived by modern scholars.

[[John Damascene]], writing in the 8th century AD, also notes of an earlier sect called the "Cathari", in his book ''On Heresies'', taken from the epitome provided by [[Epiphanius of Salamis]] in his ''[[Panarion]]''. He says of them: "They absolutely reject those who marry a second time, and reject the possibility of penance [that is, forgiveness of sins after baptism]".{{sfnp|John of Damascus|2012|p=125}} These are probably the same Cathari (actually Novations) who are mentioned in Canon 8 of the [[First Council of Nicaea|First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea]] in the year 325, which states "... [I]f those called Cathari come over [to the faith], let them first make profession that they are willing to communicate [share [[full communion]]] with the twice-married, and grant pardon to those who have lapsed&nbsp;..."{{sfnp|Schaff|Wace|1994|p=20}}

[[File:Routes des châteaux cathares.svg|thumb|upright=2.5|A map of the routes of the Cathar castles (blue squares and lines) in the south of France around the turn of the 13th century]]
The writings of the Cathars were mostly destroyed because of the doctrine's threat perceived by the Papacy;{{sfnp|Murphy|2012|pp=26–27}} thus, the historical record of the Cathars is derived primarily from their opponents. Cathar ideology continues to be debated, with commentators regularly accusing opposing perspectives of speculation, distortion and bias. Only a few texts of the Cathars remain, as preserved by their opponents (such as the {{lang|fr|Rituel Cathare de Lyon}}) which give a glimpse into the ideologies of their faith.{{sfnp|Alphandéry|1911|p=505}} One large text has survived, ''The Book of Two Principles'' ({{lang|la|Liber de duobus principiis}}),{{sfnp|Dondaine|1939}} which elaborates the principles of dualistic theology from the point of view of some [[Albanenses]] Cathars.{{sfnp|Wakefield|Evans|1991|pp=511–515}}

It is now generally agreed by most scholars that identifiable historical Catharism did not emerge until at least 1143, when the first confirmed report of a group espousing similar beliefs is reported being active at [[Cologne]] by the [[Clergy|cleric]] Eberwin of [[Steinfeld Abbey|Steinfeld]].{{efn|name=consideration}} A landmark in the "institutional history" of the Cathars was the [[Council of Saint-Félix|Council]], held in 1167 at [[Saint-Félix-Lauragais]], attended by many local figures and also by the [[Bogomilism|Bogomil]] ''papa'' [[Nicetas, Bogomil bishop|Nicetas]], the Cathar bishop of [[France|(northern) France]] and a leader of the Cathars of [[Lombardy]].

The Cathars were a largely local, Western European/Latin Christian phenomenon, springing up in the [[Rhineland]] cities, particularly Cologne, in the mid-[[12th century]], northern France around the same time, and particularly the [[Languedoc]]—and the northern Italian cities in the mid-late 12th century. In the Languedoc and northern Italy, the Cathars attained their greatest popularity, surviving in the Languedoc, in much reduced form, up to around 1325 and in the Italian cities until the [[Medieval Inquisition|Inquisitions]] of the 14th century extirpated them.{{sfn|Le Roy Ladurie|1990|p=}}{{sfn|Lansing|1998|p=}}

Catharism is generally believed to be a syncretic form of Zoroastrianism and Gnosticism and the heir to Manichaeism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kay |first=Harvey |date=2021-04-06 |title=The Persecution of The Cathars |url=https://westonmuseum.org/the-persecution-of-the-cathars/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Weston Museum |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Costagliola |first=Michel |date=2015-09-30 |title=Fires in history: the cathar heresy, the inquisition and brulology |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4883611/ |journal=Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=230–234 |issn=1592-9558 |pmc=4883611 |pmid=27279813}}</ref>