Abstract
The present study seeks to clarify the date and exact circumstances of the end of the pastoral tenure of Metropolitan Theophan I of Moldavia (1530–1545/1546), contemporary with Prince Peter Rareș (1527–1538, 1541–1546). This is a topic over which historiographical controversy has hovered for a long time. For this purpose, all sources on Theophan’s biography have been critically considered and reviewed, including newer ones, which bring some modifications concerning the beginning of the pastoral reign of his successor, Metropolitan Gregory Roșca, (1545/1546–1551). On a different aspect, certain canonical reflections on Theophan I’s withdrawal are required to see whether it was legitimate under church law or, rather, under a possible political custom of the country.
Keywords
1545, 1546, Gregory Roșca, Metropolitan, Peter Rareș, resignation, Theophan I, withdrawal
