Saint Agapetus
Saint Agapetus was a prominent figure in the early Christian church, born into a noble Roman family as the son of priest Gordianus. Educated and well-connected, he became a member of a circle of Christian intellectuals led by statesman Cassiodorus. Agapetus served as a priest at the Roman church of Saints John and Paul before being consecrated as the bishop of Rome in May 535 CE. His papacy, though brief, was marked by significant interventions in ecclesiastical matters across regions such as Gaul, Illyria, North Africa, and Constantinople.
During his tenure, Agapetus played a crucial role in affirming the decisions of church councils, including barring converted Arians from Holy Orders and intervening in disciplinary actions against bishops. He notably opposed the Monophysitic views of Patriarch Anthimus I and excommunicated him, which demonstrated his commitment to orthodox Christian doctrine. Additionally, he consecrated Menas, a candidate favored by Emperor Justinian I, before his death shortly thereafter. Agapetus’s actions set important precedents for papal authority, although subsequent popes faced limitations on their influence due to the political climate created by Justinian’s military campaigns in Italy.
Saint Agapetus
Related civilizations: Imperial Rome, Byzantine Empire
Major role/position: Cleric and pope
Life
Born to the aristocratic Roman priest Gordianus, Agapetus (ag-uh-PEET-uhs) was well educated and became a member of Roman statesman Cassiodorus’s circle of Christian intellectuals. He served as a priest of the Roman church of Saints John and Paul and was consecrated bishop of Rome in May, 535 c.e. With Cassiodorus, he planned a Christian academy of theology and literature. During his short but aggressive papacy, he intervened in ecclesiastical affairs in Gaul, Illyria, North Africa, and Constantinople. Agapetus confirmed the Carthaginian church council’s decision to bar converted Arians from Holy Orders, and he negated a Marseilles council’s condemnation of bishop Contumeliosus for immorality, inserting his own delegates as judges. He also contravened actions of the bishop of Larissa in Illyria.
Ostrogothic king Theodahad sent the pope as a diplomat to Justinian I’s court for political reasons, but Agapetus publicly and successfully challenged the Monophysitic beliefs of Patriarch Anthimus I, whom he subsequently excommunicated and Justinian exiled. Agapetus consecrated Justinian’s orthodox candidate, Menas, and died shortly thereafter. His body was returned to Rome in a lead coffin.
Influence
Saint Agapetus set further precedents for papal intervention throughout Christendom, but Justinian’s wars in Italy limited subsequent popes’ ability to exercise broad authority.
Bibliography
Cassiodorus Senator. Introduction to Divine and Human Reading. New York: Norton, 1969.
Davis, Raymond. The Book of Pontiffs. Liverpool, England: Liverpool University Press, 1989.
Maxwell-Stuart, P. G. Chronicle of the Popes. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.