“JUDAIZING HERESY”

“JUDAIZING HERESY”. A movement in Novgorod and Moscow (Russia) at the end of the 15th c. that included translations of biblical books only from the Hebrew. The “Judaizers” were led by Zechariah (Slavic: Skharia), probably a Crimean Karaite Jew, who taught that Christ was a prophet, the messianic prophecies were unfulfilled, the Church is unnecessary, etc. Besides the Old Testament, the group translated Maimonides and Algazel as well as astrological books. (See Joseph of Volokolamsk.) The group was pursued and persecuted by both the government and the “possessor” party in the Church.