Medieval Christian Missions to Asia: Shifting Strategies and Goals

VALTROVÁ, Jana. Medieval Christian Missions to Asia: Shifting Strategies and Goals. In XXI Quinquennial World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, Erfurt, Germany August 23-29, 2015. 2015.

Basic information

• Original name: Medieval Christian Missions to Asia: Shifting Strategies and Goals
• Name in Czech: Středověké křesťanské misie v Asii: Proměny strategií a cílů
• Name (in English): Medieval Christian Missions to Asia: Shifting Strategies and Goals
• Authors: VALTROVÁ, Jana.
• Edition: XXI Quinquennial World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, Erfurt, Germany August 23-29, 2015, 2015.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords (in Czech): křesťanské misie ve středověku; Mongolská říše; Vilém Rubruk; Jan z Montecorvina
• Keywords in English: medieval Christian missions; Mongolian empire; William of Rubruck; John of Montecorvino

Abstract

The paper presents major shifts in the development of medieval Christian missionary efforts which were made during the 13th and 14th centuries in Asia by Franciscan and Dominican friars. Reports of such missionaries as William of Rubruck, John of Plano Carpini, John of Montecorvino, Jordan of Catala and others are used as sources for this analysis. The main aim of the paper is to show transformation of missionary strategies as a process of more or less successful adaptation of particular missionaries in new cultural and religious environment, their flexibility and ability to focus on a prospective group of converts. In connection to this process not only the missionary strategies changed, but also their original goals were redefined. Representation of these goals, original and new ones, within the context of missionary reports and their desired effect on European audience is also discussed.

Abstract (in Czech)

Příspěvek představil nejvýraznější změny v rozvoji středověkých misií, ke kterým došlo v průběhu 13. a na počátku 14. století v prostředí mongolské říše. Jako prameny pro tuto analýzu byly využity zprávy františkánských a dominikánských misiionářů - Jana z Plano Carpini, Viléma z Rubruku, Jana z Montecorvina, Peregrinaz Castella, Ondřeje z Perugie a dalších. Cílem příspěvku bylo ukázat hlavní posuny v adaptaci misionářů v daném prostředí, proměny jejich strategií v souvislosti s dosaženými výsledky. Na závěr příspěvek otevřel otázku do jaké míry byly dosažené misijní výsledky refkletovány v misionářských zprávách s ohledem na původně vytyčené cíle misionářů.

Abstract (in English)

The paper presents major shifts in the development of medieval Christian missionary efforts which were made during the 13th and 14th centuries in Asia by Franciscan and Dominican friars. Reports of such missionaries as William of Rubruck, John of Plano Carpini, John of Montecorvino, Jordan of Catala and others are used as sources for this analysis. The main aim of the paper is to show transformation of missionary strategies as a process of more or less successful adaptation of particular missionaries in new cultural and religious environment, their flexibility and ability to focus on a prospective group of converts. In connection to this process not only the missionary strategies changed, but also their original goals were redefined. Representation of these goals, original and new ones, within the context of missionary reports and their desired effect on European audience is also discussed