Pope Agapetus I
Pope Agapetus I was the bishop of Rome who served for a brief ten months in 535-536. He is remembered for his diplomatic mission to Constantinople, where he attempted to avert a Byzantine invasion of the Ostrogoth kingdom and deposed the patriarch Anthimus I. Canonized by both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, his feast day is celebrated on April 22.
- Feast Day
- April 22
- Century
- 6th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Agapetus I was the bishop of Rome from may 13, 535, to his death on April 22, 536.
- ›His father, Gordianus, was a priest in Rome and may have been related to popes Felix III and Gregory I.
- ›He traveled to Constantinople in 536 at the behest of King Theodahad of the Ostrogoths to dissuade Emperor Justinian I from invading the Ostrogoth kingdom.
- ›While in Constantinople, Agapetus deposed Patriarch Anthimus I and consecrated his successor, Menas.
- ›Four of his letters have survived, including two addressed to Justinian.
- ›He was canonized in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
About Pope Agapetus I
Pope Agapetus I, born in Rome between 489 and 490, served as the bishop of Rome from May 13, 535, until his death on April 22, 536. His father, Gordianus, was a Roman priest, and Agapetus may have been related to Popes Felix III and Gregory I.
Pontificate and Diplomacy
Agapetus I was elevated from archdeacon to pope in 535. His early actions included burning the anathema pronounced by Boniface II against Dioscurus and assisting Cassiodorus in the founding of his monastery at Vivarium. He also confirmed decrees from the Council of Carthage concerning converts from Arianism and heard an appeal from Bishop Contumeliosus of Riez.
A significant event of his pontificate was his embassy to Constantinople in February 536. Sent by King Theodahad of the Ostrogoths, Agapetus attempted to dissuade Emperor Justinian I from invading the Ostrogoth kingdom. Although Justinian declined to halt the invasion, Agapetus turned his attention to religious matters.
Religious Actions in Constantinople
In Constantinople, Agapetus confronted Patriarch Anthimus I, who had controversially occupied the Byzantine patriarchal see. Against protests from the orthodox, Agapetus ordered Anthimus to make a profession of faith and return to his former see. Upon Anthimus' refusal, Agapetus deposed him and, facing threats from the Emperor, famously replied, "With eager longing have I come to gaze upon the Most Christian Emperor Justinian. In his place I find a Diocletian, whose threats, however, terrify me not." Agapetus then personally consecrated Menas, the legally elected successor to Anthimus, marking a significant moment in Church history.
Surviving Correspondence and Death
Four letters from Agapetus I have survived from this period: two addressed to Emperor Justinian, one to the bishops of Africa, and one to the Bishop of Carthage. These letters touch on theological matters, including his refusal to acknowledge the orders of the Arians.
Agapetus I fell ill shortly after these events and died on April 22, 536, after a reign of approximately ten months. His remains were returned to Rome and deposited in St. Peter's Basilica.
Veneration
Agapetus I is venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His feast day is observed on April 22, the day of his death. Some Catholic sources also list his feast day as September 20, the date of his deposition.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pope Agapetus I pope?
Pope Agapetus I served as the bishop of Rome for a short period, from May 13, 535, until his death on April 22, 536.
What was Pope Agapetus I's most significant diplomatic mission?
In 536, Agapetus I traveled to Constantinople to persuade Emperor Justinian I to halt a planned Byzantine invasion of the Ostrogoth kingdom. Although he was unsuccessful in preventing the invasion, his mission highlights his role in the political landscape of the time.
What religious actions did Pope Agapetus I take in Constantinople?
While in Constantinople, Agapetus I deposed the patriarch Anthimus I, who had left his previous see, and then personally consecrated Menas as his successor. He also refused to acknowledge the Orders of the Arians.
What is known about Pope Agapetus I's family background?
Agapetus I was born in Rome and was the son of Gordianus, a Roman priest who was killed during riots. His father's name might suggest a familial connection to popes Felix III and Gregory I.
When is the feast day of Pope Agapetus I?
Pope Agapetus I is venerated on April 22, the day of his death, in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Some Catholic sources also list his feast day as September 20.
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