The Papess Joanne

The Papess Joanne (Greek: Ἡ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα, romanized: Hē Pápissa Iōánna) is a 1866 novel by Greek writer Emmanuel Rhoides. Published with the subtitle "medieval study",[lower-alpha 1] the novel is an exploration of the European legend of Pope Joan, a woman who secretly reigned as pope some time in the late ninth century. Though a romance with satirical overtones, it has been described as having elements of a chronicle because of the writer's extensive research of historical sources.[1] Due to its religious commentary, the novel attracted criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church which resulted to its excommunication by the Holy Synod. Papess Joanne became the most famous of Rhoides' works and has been established as a classic of Modern Greek literature; It got translated into several languages, earning Rhoides worldwide recognition and praise.[2][3][4]

The Papess Joanne

Papissa Ioanna, first edition, Athens 1866
Author	Emmanuel Rhoides
Original title	Ἡ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα
Country	Greece
Language	Greek (Katharevousa)
Publication date	1866

The premise of the work is the medieval European legend of a woman named Joan who ascended the church hierarchy and assumed the papal throne disguised as a man. Joan's sex was supposedly revealed when she became pregnant and gave birth during a litany, whereupon she died. Rhoides wrote that he first heard about the legend in Genoa as a child. Intrigued by the story, he did extensive research in Germany, Italy, and finally the National Library of Greece, and collected significant material on the period in which the storyline takes place. Ιn the preface of his book, the author lists a number of references, notes and footnotes, wanting to give a scientific appearance to his work.[1][5] As emphasized by the subtitle "medieval study", Rhoides asserted the novel contained evidence that Pope Joan could have truly existed and that the Catholic Church attempted to cover up the fact for centuries.[6]

Upon its publication, the work caused debate in the press and immediate controversy in religious circles. The controversy was centered around the explicit language, erotic scenes, and Rhoides' critical commentary on the Orthodox Church. The issue was eventually introduced to the Holy Synod which characterized the novel as blasphemous. Rhoides responded to criticism by the church initially with satirical commentaries on the press, followed –on a more serious tone– by the piece "A few words in response to the aphoristic circular of the Synod". Rhoides satirically stated that the controversy eventually boosted the popularity of the novel, which otherwise would only be known in a small circle of scholars.[7][2] After his death in 1904, there was debate on whether the Synod had excommunicated the novel or Rhoides as well.[8] As it was stated by his nephew and biographer, Rhoides himself was in fact never excommunicated, continued to follow religious practices, and received the typical Orthodox burial.[9]