Felix III
Pope Felix III, bishop of Rome from 483 to 492, is primarily known for his repudiation of the Henotikon, an imperial edict intended to reconcile Catholics and Eutychians. This act initiated the Acacian schism, a significant division between the Eastern and Western Churches that lasted until 519. He also excommunicated key figures in the East, including Peter the Fuller and Peter Mongus.
Key Facts
- ›Bishop of Rome from March 13, 483, until his death on March 1, 492.
- ›His repudiation of the Henotikon began the Acacian schism.
- ›Was married and widowed before becoming pope.
- ›Fathered two children, one of whom was a priest.
- ›Considered a possible ancestor to Popes Gregory I and Agapetus I.
- ›Commemorated on March 1.
Theology of Christ, Church Unity
- Repudiated the Henotikon
- Sent A Letter of Remonstrance To Patriarch Acacius
- Passed Sentence of Deposition Against Acacius
- Excommunicated Peter the Fuller
- Excommunicated Peter Mongus
- Convened A Synod In 487 Concerning the Return of Unwilling Apostates
Emperor Zeno, Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople, Eutyches, Nestorius, Cyril of Alexandria, Peter the Fuller, Martyrius of Antioch, Peter Mongus, Vandals, Genseric, Huneric
About Felix III
Pope Felix III
Pope Felix III served as the bishop of Rome from March 13, 483, until his death on March 1, 492. His pontificate is a significant period in the early Church, largely defined by his firm stance against imperial attempts to unify the Church through theological compromise.
Life and Historical Context
Born into a Roman senatorial family, Felix III's life before his papacy included marriage and widowhood, and he fathered two children. Through his son Gordianus, a priest, he is considered a possible ancestor to later prominent popes, including Gregory I and Agapetus I. The historical backdrop of his papacy was marked by theological controversies, particularly concerning Eutychianism, and imperial efforts to resolve these disputes.
Major Contributions and Conflicts
The defining action of Felix III's pontificate was his repudiation of the Henotikon, an edict issued by Emperor Zeno at the suggestion of Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople. This edict aimed to bridge the divide between Catholics and Eutychians but, by avoiding a definitive Christological statement, intensified conflict. Felix's refusal to accept the Henotikon and his subsequent remonstrance to Acacius led to his excommunication of the patriarch, initiating the Acacian schism. This schism between the Eastern and Western Churches persisted until 519. Felix also took action against other figures involved in these controversies, excommunicating Peter the Fuller and Peter Mongus, who held sees in Antioch and Alexandria respectively.
Felix also addressed issues arising from the aftermath of the Vandal conquests in North Africa. Following eased persecutions by the Vandals, many Catholics who had been forced to adopt Arianism sought to return to the Church. In response, Felix convened a synod in 487 to establish guidelines for their readmission.
Legacy
Pope Felix III's primary legacy is his role in initiating the Acacian schism through his strong opposition to the Henotikon. This event had profound and lasting consequences for the relationship between the Roman See and the Eastern patriarchates, contributing to the growing estrangement that would eventually lead to the Great Schism. His actions underscore the assertion of papal authority against imperial ecclesiastical policy in the late Roman Empire.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pope Felix III reign?
Pope Felix III served as the bishop of Rome from March 13, 483, until his death on March 1, 492. His pontificate falls within the late 5th century.
What was the Henotikon and why did Pope Felix III reject it?
The Henotikon was an edict issued by Emperor Zeno in 482, intended to reconcile Catholics and Eutychians. Pope Felix III repudiated it because it avoided a definitive statement on the nature of Christ, attempting to appease both sides of a theological dispute and thus causing greater conflict.
What is the Acacian schism?
The Acacian schism was a division within the Church that began with Pope Felix III's repudiation of the Henotikon and his excommunication of Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople. This schism between the East and West was not healed until 519.
Did Pope Felix III have a family?
Yes, Felix III was married and widowed before his election as pope. He had two children, and through his son Gordianus, he was thought to be a great-great-grandfather to Pope Gregory I and possibly related to Pope Agapetus I.
Related Popes
Honorius I
Pope Honorius I served as bishop of Rome from 625 to 638, actively supporting the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England and working to align Irish and British churches with Roman Easter practices. He is primarily known for his correspondence with Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople concerning the Monoenergism controversy, a theological debate that ultimately led to his posthumous condemnation by the Third Council of Constantinople.
Victor I
Pope Victor I was a Roman African prelate who served as Bishop of Rome in the late second century, with his papacy often dated from 189 to 199. He is notable for excommunicating Theodotus of Byzantium and for his significant role in the Quartodeciman controversy, where he insisted on a uniform date for Easter, leading to a break with churches in Asia Minor.
Gregory XII
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