The Papess Joanne (Greek: Ἡ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα, romanized: Hē Pápissa Iōánna) is a 1866 novel by Greek writer Emmanuel Rhoides. Published with the subtitle "medieval study", the novel is an exploration of the European legend of Pope Joan, a woman who allegedly ascended the church hierarchy and reigned as pope in disguise some time in the late 9th century. Though a romance with satirical overtones, it has been described as having elements of a chronicle because of the writer's extensive research of historical sources. Due to its religious commentary, the novel attracted criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church which resulted to its excommunication by the Holy Synod. The Papess Joanne became the most famous of Rhoides' works and has been established as a classic of Modern Greek literature; It got translated into several languages, earning Rhoides international recognition and praise. Source: Wikipedia (en)