Michel Trivolis / Maxime Le Grec (env. 1470-1555/1556). Processus de modernisation et fin du Moyen âge en Russie

Michael Trivolis / Maximus the Greek (c. 1470-1555/1556). The process of modernisation and the end of Middle age in Russia. In Russia the figure of the Athonite monk Maximus was generally interpreted in relation to traditional Orthodox values and, in particular, to his anti-Renaissance position. This study aims to read his biography in the light both of the culture of humanism and the Christian renewal movements taking place between fifteenth and sixteenth century in Europe, and to highlight his role as educator in Russia. The ecclesiastic hierarchy tried to come to terms with Maximus’s authoritative personality, making the most of his work to counter the influence of the Western world, both Catholic and Protestant. At the same time they kept him under strict control, while he was still alive, and intervened harshly against anything that might undermine the framework of the church and the monastic tradition, in which the seeds sown by the Athonite monk still continued to germinate.