ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΓΑΜΗΛΙΕΣ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΕΣ ΣΤΟ ΝΟΤΙΟΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΟ ΑΙΓΑΙΟ. Η ΚΩΣ ΣΤΟ 18ο ΚΑΙ 19ο ΑΙΩΝΑ

Abstract

This article focuses on the function of the institution of family in the framework of the Greek Orthodox society of Kos during the 18th and 19th centuries. The existence of issues which consisted violation of what was legislated according to the regulations of the Church was remarkable. Such violations were the provision of divorce after adultery and the usual records of divorces after the «common will» of the couple. In particular, during the 18th century, according to the practice of the Court of the Church in Kos, it is obvious that any case was not solved as it was legislated by the Church in the past but it was solved «ad hoc». Thus, the function of the Family Law in the provision of justice by the Court of the Church in the 18th century was based, not on already existed and objective criteria, but on solutions ad hoc («κατ' οίκονομίαν») as the terminology of Church describes them. In this case the model of the Greek Orthodox Church became flexible in order to keep the control of the local Christian society, adapted in local or even temporary needs. This situation changed during the 19th century, when the Church tried —with the support of the local «demogerontes»— to play the role of the strict supervisor in issues of violation of the Family Law.