Demetrius Kidonis

Dimitri Kydonis (1324–1398) - 14th century Greek scholar, Latinist, originally from Thessaloniki ; He was a close friend and adviser to Emperor John Cantacuzine . Brother Prokhor Kydonis .

After the overthrow of the emperor from the throne, Demetrius went to Italy, where he spent more than 10 years, and began to study Western literature in Venice , especially the writings of Thomas Aquinas , under whose influence he advocated a union with Rome. Subsequently, he again moved to the East and lived mainly on the island of Crete, in the city of Kydonia , from where his name was probably derived. Of his many works, most remain in manuscripts. His writings were printed: “Against the fallacy of Gregory Palamas” (Rome, 1630), “On the Exodus of the Holy Spirit”, translations of Summa by Thomas Aquinas, Anselm’s writings on the Origin of the Holy Spirit and unleavened bread, etc. Collection of his works by Min, in Patrologia Graeca , vol. 151 and 154.

He was a fierce opponent of Palamism, excommunicated by Patriarch Filofei Kokkin from the Greek Church for an essay in which he refuted the ideas of Palamas through the methods of Western theologians. Among the Italian humanists with whom he corresponded were Francesco Gattelusi , Poggio Bracciolini , Bartolomeo de Montepulciano , Agapito Chenchi . He was one of the first from whom Italian humanists received information about Greek literature.