If only Cardinal Bessarion had shaved that morning.
Basilios Bessarion, born in Trebizond (modern-day Trabzon, in northeast Turkey) in the early 15th century, was a Byzantine monk and scholar who rose to prominence during a pivotal era for both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Educated in Constantinople and later in Mystras under the renowned Neoplatonist philosopher Gemistus Pletho, Bessarion became a staunch advocate for the reunification of the Eastern and Western Churches.
In 1437, Emperor John VIII Palaiologos appointed Bessarion as the Metropolitan of Nicaea, and together they attended the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438–1439). Initially opposed to union with Rome, Bessarion was persuaded by theological arguments and became one of the most fervent supporters of ecclesiastical unity. His eloquence and commitment impressed Pope Eugene IV, who appointed him as a cardinal in 1439. From that point, Bessarion resided in Italy, dedicating himself to scholarly pursuits and ecclesiastical duties.
Cardinal Bessarion, Painting at the Lindon Hall Library
The Dramatic 1455 Conclave
Following the death of Pope Nicholas V in 1455, the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new pope. The conclave was marked by divisions between the influential Orsini and Colonna factions. As the stalemate persisted, attention turned to Bessarion as a potential compromise candidate. His Eastern origins and lack of deep entanglement in Italian politics made him an appealing choice for some.
However, Bessarion’s candidacy faced significant opposition due to lingering prejudices against the Eastern rite. Notably, his adherence to the Eastern Orthodox tradition of maintaining a beard became a focal point of contention. In the Western Church, beards had been discouraged since the 11th century, symbolizing a divergence from Roman norms.
During the conclave and according to ChurchPop, French Cardinal Alain de Coëtivy delivered a vehement speech against Bessarion, stating:
“Shall we select for Pope, for head of the Latin Church, a Greek, a mere interloper? Bessarion still wears his beard—and forsooth, he is to be our Lord! How poor, then, must be our Latin Church, if we can find no worthy man in it, but must needs resort to a Greek, and to one, too, who but yesterday attacked the Roman faith! And because he has now returned shall he be our master and the leader of the Christian army? Behold, such is the poverty of the Latin Church that she cannot find an apostolic sovereign without resorting to a Greek! Oh, Fathers! Do what you think fit; but for myself and those who think with me, we will never consent to a Greek head of the Church!”
Bessarion chose not to defend himself, expressing disinterest in the papacy. Subsequently, his support dwindled, and the conclave elected Cardinal Alfonso de Borgia as Pope Callixtus III.
Legacy and Impact of Bessarion
Caption: The Biblioteca Marciana in Venice, home to Bessarion’s vast collection of Greek manuscripts, which played a pivotal role in the Renaissance. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Despite the setback of 1455, Bessarion remained a respected figure within the Church and was again considered a papal candidate in the 1464 conclave.
He continued to serve in various capacities, including as Archbishop of Bologna and Latin Patriarch of Constantinople. A passionate humanist, Bessarion amassed a vast collection of Greek manuscripts, which he later donated to the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice, significantly contributing to the Renaissance’s intellectual revival.
Bessarion passed away on November 18, 1472, in Ravenna, Italy. He was interred in a chapel he commissioned within the Basilica of Santi Apostoli in Rome, adorned with inscriptions in both Latin and Greek—a testament to his dual heritage and enduring influence.
His life and work symbolize a bridge between Eastern and Western Christian traditions, highlighting the complexities and possibilities of ecclesiastical unity during a transformative period in Church history, leaving admirers and proponents of Christian unification wondering if things may have been different, if only Bessarion had shaved that day.
