Agapetus I

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Agapitus I
535.05.13 to 536.04.22
Pope #57
John II (533-535)
Silverius (536-537)

Agapetus, son of Gordianus
in Rome
536.04.22

Pope Agapetus I

Biography:

Born in Rome of noble birth. The son of Gordian, a priest killed in the fighting during the days of Pope Symmachus (498-514).

Election

He was an archdeacon prior to his election as pope on May 13, 535. His date of birth is unknown, but he was said to have been an aged man at the time of his election.

Anathema of Dioscoro

In 530, Antipope Dioscoro (530) had been elected as pope with a majority vote over Pope Boniface II (530-532), who had been unlawfully picked by Pope Felix IV (526-630) as his successor. Fighting broke out, and when Dioscoro was killed, Boniface II claimed the throne. Boniface II then forced the clergy to sign a retraction vote, and decreed that the late Dioscoro was to be anathemised, removed from the papal records and declared a false pope.

In 535, Pope Agapetus I ordered that the anathema be reverted, and had it burned in the presence of an assembled clergy. Dioscoro was then returned to full papal status.

In 2001 however, the Vatican reverted the status of the late Dioscoro back to antipope, accepting the anathema of Boniface II.

Overruled the Council of Marseilles

Prior to his election, the Council of Marseilles, headed by St. Caesarius of Arles, ruled that Contumeliosus, Bishop of Riez in Gaul, be condemned for immorality. Contumeliosus quickly appealed to Pope Agapetus I, who decided to overrule the council, and order a new trial be held before papal delegates.

Council of Carthage

After the defeat of the Vandals in 533 by Emperor Justinian I, a Council held at Carthage ordered that all Vandal converts from Arianism were to be ineligible to hold church offices. Those which were already ordained were admitted to lay communion. Pope Agapetus I supported this.

King Theodahad's plee

Italy 535 AD

Italy at this time was part of the Ostrogoth kingdom, ruled by Queen Amalasuntha. In 534, after the death of the queen's only son, she appointed her cousin Theodahad as king to help her rule. This proved unwise, as the following year Theodahad had her imprisoned, where she was later killed.

Having been a friend of Queen Amalasuntha, the Byzantian Emperor Justinian I was angered when he heard this news. His General Belisarius, who had just conquered Sicily, was ordered to prepare to invade Italy next.

Upon hearing of the planned invasion, King Theodahad begged Pope Agapetus I to visit the emperor, and plead with him to call off the invasion. Agapetus agreed, and all the more readily, as he wished to deal with the growing Monophysite heresy in Constantinople. He pledged the gold and silver vessels of St. Peter's to raise the funds for the trip.

On Feb 2, 536, he arrived in Constantinople to a warm reception from Emperor Justinian I. However, the emperor refused to stop the invasion, and stated that the preparations were already too advanced. Belisarius captured Rome that same year, and in a coup, King Theodahad was killed by his successor, King Witiges. In 540, Belisarius would take the Ostrogoth capital of Ravenna, and capture King Witiges.

Monophysitism heresy

Theodora

While in Constantinople, Agepetus sought to defend the rule of the Council of Chalcedon. Bishop Anthimus of Trebizond, had been appointed Patriarch without the council approval, against canon law. He was supported by the emperor's wife, Theodora who wished to undermine the council and the Pope. Pope Agepetus I refused to deal with Anthimus, accusing them of heresy. This irritated Justinian I, who strongly warned the Pope. However, Agapetus was successful in convincing Justinian I to succumb to the papal rule, and return Anthimus to his See in Trebizond. Agepetus then consecrated the new Patriarch, Mennas himself. He continued to denouce the other Monophysitists; however, he fell ill and died shortly after.

Synod of Clermont (535)

Orders that Jews be excluded from holding public office.

Death

He died while still in Constantinople on April 22, 536. His remains were brought back in a leaden coffin to Rome and deposited in St. Peter's.

Rulers & Events:

527-565: Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinian I

534-536: King of Italy, Theodahad

535:     Synod of Clermont forbids Jews from public office

536-540: King of Italy, Witiges