flagelláták

Flagellátók, also known as flagellants, were a group of Christian mystics who emerged in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, primarily in Germany and the Low Countries. They were characterized by their extreme piety and self-mortification practices, which included flagellation, or the use of a flagellum to inflict pain on their bodies. The flagellum was a whip-like instrument with several thongs, designed to cause severe lacerations.

The flagellants believed that physical suffering could atone for their sins and prepare them for death. They would often gather in large groups, known as processions, to publicly display their penance. These processions were often met with both admiration and condemnation from the broader society. Some flagellants, such as those in the Brethren of the Common Life, advocated for a simple, ascetic lifestyle and rejected worldly possessions.

The flagellants' practices were not universally accepted within the Catholic Church. Some church leaders, including Pope Gregory XII, condemned their excesses, viewing them as a form of heresy. Despite this, the flagellants' movement had a significant impact on the religious landscape of the time, influencing later movements such as the Spiritual Franciscans and the Devotio Moderna.

The flagellants' legacy is complex, with their practices seen as both a radical expression of piety and a potential threat to religious orthodoxy. Their story serves as a reminder of the diverse ways in which individuals have sought to express their faith and connect with the divine.