The Hermeneutical Aspects of Proving the Pope’s Primacy in the Work of Ivan Dubovich „Hierarchia abo o zwierzchności w Cerkwi Bożej” (1644)

Purpose: To research fundamentals of bishop of Rome primacy justified by Ivan Dubovich in his work „Hierarchia abo o zwierzchności w Cerkwi Bożej” (1644). To reveal methods of interpretation of the Holy Bible fragments in the patristic works, to analyze used rhetorical modes. Methods: Historical, cultural and hermeneutic methods have been used. Results: The main question in the book of Ivan Dubovich „Hierarchia abo o zwierzchności w Cerkwi Bożej” (1644) is the foundation of primacy of the Pope. The polemicist proved the authority of the Bishop of Rome based on the texts of Holy Bible, works of the Greek Church Doctors in „O zwierzchnosci Piotra s”chapter. While considering this problem the author referred to the Gospels fragments, which Roman Catholic theological writers interpreted as an argument of Apostle Peter primacy, as well as to prays and hymns of the church. Ivan Dubovich revealed himself as a Scripturist, connoisseur of ancient Greek philosophy. In the the research the conception of the church’s organization stated by Ivan Dubovich has been reviewed in context of orthodox theologians’ ideas, historical and cultural background of that time. Besides, different rhetorical, literary modes used by the author in order to prove the catholic doctrine of papal primacy have been revealed in the report.