Pope Saint Agatho
Pope whose doctrinal letter on Christ's two wills shaped the Sixth Ecumenical Council
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Pope
- Life
- d. 681
- Era
- 7th century
- Feast
- 10 January
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Agatho became bishop of Rome in 678, succeeding Pope Donus; reference works give 27 June as the date of his consecration. He was born in Sicily and is generally believed to have been a Benedictine monk at St Hermes in Palermo. The Catholic Encyclopedia reports good authority that he was over a hundred years old when elected, a figure that other writers doubt. He is said to have acted as treasurer of the Roman church.
A smaller matter that shows his work is the case of Bishop Wilfrid of York. Wilfrid, deposed from York by Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury, came to Rome for help; Agatho held a synod at the Lateran, which restored him to his see. From the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV he obtained the abolition of the payment customarily made at papal elections, though imperial approval of a new pope was still required.
The main event of his pontificate was the Sixth Ecumenical Council, held at Constantinople in 680 and 681 to settle the Monothelite dispute. Agatho's doctrinal letter taught that Christ has two wills, divine and human; the council accepted that position and condemned Monothelitism, naming Pope Honorius I among those condemned. Agatho died on 10 January 681, before the council's decrees reached Rome, and his successor Leo II confirmed them. He was buried at St Peter's and is venerated in both the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches.
Works and witness
- Pope from 27 June 678 until his death on 10 January 681
- Sent the doctrinal letter on Christ's two wills accepted by the Sixth Ecumenical Council
- Heard the appeal of Bishop Wilfrid of York at a Lateran synod
- Obtained from Constantine IV the abolition of the payment made at papal elections
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'Pope St. Agatho', 1907
- Britannica, 'Saint Agatho' (consecration date, exarch payment)
- Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'Pope Honorius I' (condemnation by the council)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.