Eparchy ofMarča | |
|---|---|
 The Marcha Monastery (1775) | |
| Location | |
| Country | Habsburg monarchy |
| Coordinates | 45°45′48″N16°29′33″E / 45.76333°N 16.49250°E /45.76333; 16.49250 |
| Statistics | |
| Members | 60,000–72,000 |
| Information | |
| Rite | Byzantine |
| Established | 21 November 1611 |
| Dissolved | 1753 |
TheEparchy of Marča (Serbian Cyrillic:Марчанска епархија,Croatian:Marčanska biskupija) was anEastern Christian ecclesiastical entity taking two forms in the 17th century: anEastern Orthodox eparchy and anEastern Catholic vicariate. The term was derived from the name of the monastery at Marča (today Stara Marča) nearIvanić-Grad,Habsburg monarchy (present-dayZagreb County,Republic of Croatia).
Although Serbian Orthodox bishopSimeon Vratanja traveled toRome in 1611 and formally accepted jurisdiction of the Pope over this bishopric, until 1670 Serb bishops continued to recognize the jurisdiction of theSerbian Patriarchate of Peć and struggled against conversion attempts by Roman Catholic bishops fromZagreb. This semi-union existed until the 1670 appointment of Pavle Zorčić as bishop. All Serb Orthodox clergy who objected to the union were arrested and sentenced to life in prison inMalta, where they died. The bishopric was succeeded by theEastern Catholic Eparchy of Križevci.
The name Marča was derived from the name of the nearby hill, Marča. Other names used for this bishopric includeSvidnik (Svidnička eparhija),Vretanija [sr] (Vretanijska eparhija), and the "Uskok" (ускочка) bishopric.[2]
The Ottoman conquest of Serbia and Bosnia in 1459–63 led to massive migrations of Orthodox Christians, and by 1483 perhaps 200,000 Orthodox Christians moved into central Slavonia and Syrmia, and in the first half of the 16th century also settled western Croatia.[3] Serbs migrated to Slavonia and Croatia proper throughout the 16th–18th centuries.[4] In the first half of the 16th century Serbs settled Ottoman part of Slavonia while in the second part of the 16th century they moved to Austrian part of Slavonia.[4] TheLepavina Monastery was founded in 1550.[5] The immigrant Orthodox Christians of theMilitary Frontier were called "Vlachs", owing to their socio-economic and military status.[6]
The Marča monastery was built by Orthodox priests at Marča nearIvanić-Grad dedicated to Saint Archangel Gabriel (Serbian:Манастир Светог Арханђела Гаврила) on the foundations (or near them)[7] of the deserted and destroyed Catholic Monastery of All Saints.[8] Some scholars put 1578 or 1597 as founding years,[9] late 16th century[8] or "before 1607".[10] OnSt. Vitus Day 28 June 1609, Serbian Patriarch Jovan issued asynkellos naming Simeonvladika (bishop) of "the western lands, called Vratanija".[6] ThisSimeon "Vretanja" or "Vratanja" was appointed the bishop of all Orthodox Serbs who settled Croatia.[11]
Simeon's motives to subsequently accept Uniatism were based on the pressure of local Croat and Hungarian nobility and military command as well as Simeon's personal relations with the Catholic leadership in theVaraždin generalate and Catholic clergymenMartin Dubravić (a convert) and bishop of ZagrebPetar Domitrović.[6] Uniatism was not supported by the Orthodox people, while it threatened the privileges held by the Orthodox frontiersmen who were freed of paying taxes that the majority of Catholics did.[6] The strongest influence to Simeon's decision was Dubravić, who convinced him to recognize papal jurisdiction and to acceptEastern Catholicism.[12] On 21 November 1611[13]Pope Paul V granted bishop Simeon Greek-Catholic episcopal authority in Croatia, Hungary, Slavonia and Žumberak, which was also confirmed by Archduke Ferdinand and Bishop of ZagrebPetar Petretić.[14] It was expected that Simeon implement the unification of Orthodox "Vlachs" with the Catholic Church in the areas of theCroatian andSlavonian military frontiers.[14] However, Simeon continued to use the Slavic language in liturgy,Eastern rite andJulian calendar, maintained connection with theSerbian Patriarchate of Peć and did not become a vicar to theZagreb Diocese.[15]
While Simeon Vretanja personally was loyal to Uniatism and the Pope, the nominal Papal subjugation and strategical maneuvering can be clearly seen in the tenure ofMaksim Predojević.[6] Predojević was obliged to get confirmation from Rome regarding his title and confirm Catholic faith to the Nuncio in Graz.[6] Instead, Predojević returned to theMilitary Frontier and then went to the Serbian Patriarchate where he was confirmed asvladika.[6] Predojević was a noted opponent to Uniatism and a protector of the rights and privileges of Orthodox Frontiersmen.[6][16][17] A serious conflict between the Orthodox population and the Catholic Zagreb Diocese started with the appointment ofBenedikt Vinković as bishop of Zagreb in 1637.[6] Vinković wrote letters and complaints to theCongregation of Propaganda and the Austrian court accusing Predojević to be a "schismatic and heretic" (Orthodox) and asked for his seat to be replaced with a Catholic.[6] Vinković's activities were aimed against Predojević when he refused to support the conversion of the population of his bishopric.[16] Vinković had intention to depose Predojević and appointRafael Levaković instead.[18]
In 1648 the Hungarian king appointed Sava Stanislavić as bishop of the Bishopric of Marča, as wished by the Slavonian Serbs, although Zagreb bishop Petretić proposed another candidate.[19]
This kind of semi-union attitude of Serb bishops of Marča remained until 1670 and appointment of Pavle Zorčić.[15] All priests of Marča who objected to the union were arrested in 1672 and imprisoned inMalta where they all died.[15]
Until 19 November 1735, the Marča monastery was the seat of the Greek-Catholic bishops when the Orthodox Grenzers expelled the last three Greek-Catholic monks. Following the verdict of Vienna authorities and decision that the monastery belonged to the Greek Catholics, the Orthodox Grenzers burnt down Marča monastery on St. Vitus Day 28 June 1739.[20] In 1754 around 17,000 Serb Orthodox Uskoks revolted in support of making Marča the seat of an Orthodox bishopric. Instead, the monastery was abandoned, as ordered by Empress Maria Theresa, and its treasury was looted.[21]
The bishopric of Marča was eventually succeeded by theEastern Catholic Eparchy of Križevci.[22]
The bishops of the Eparchy of Marča were:
Тако је на рушевинама српске православие епископије у Марчи створена крижевачка унијатска бискупија, која и данас постоји.
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