Pope Gregory II
Pope Gregory II was the bishop of Rome from 715 to 731. His defiance of Emperor Leo III over iconoclasm contributed to the eventual establishment of the temporal power of the popes. He is remembered for his missionary efforts and his role in papal politics during a turbulent period.
- Feast Day
- February 13
- Century
- 8th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born in 669, he served as pope from may 19, 715, until his death on February 11, 731.
- ›He initiated repairs on rome's aurelian walls and responded to flooding by ordering litanies.
- ›Gregory supported missionary work in Bavaria and Germany, commissioning winfrid (later boniface) as a bishop.
- ›He strengthened papal authority in britain and ireland, and restored montecassino.
- ›Gregory challenged emperor leo III's iconoclast edicts, leading to revolts in the exarchate of ravenna.
- ›He brokered a deal with lombard king liutprand, resulting in the donation of sutri, an early extension of papal territory.
About Pope Gregory II
Pope Gregory II, born in 669 and serving as bishop of Rome from May 19, 715, until his death on February 11, 731, is a pivotal figure in the history of the papacy. His pontificate marked a significant shift in papal authority, largely due to his resolute opposition to the Byzantine Emperor Leo III's iconoclastic decrees.
Life and Historical Context
Born into a noble Roman family, Gregory II entered papal service at a young age, holding positions such as subdeacon, sacellarius, and papal secretary. He accompanied Pope Constantine to Constantinople in 711 to address issues arising from Rome's rejection of the canons of the Quinisext Council. Following Constantine's death, Gregory was elected pope and consecrated on May 19, 715.
Major Contributions and Conflicts
Gregory II initiated substantial repairs to Rome's Aurelian Walls and responded to the severe flooding of the Tiber River in 716. His pontificate was characterized by a growing tension with the Byzantine Empire, particularly following Emperor Leo III's iconoclastic edicts around 726. Gregory's firm rejection of these decrees, which condemned the veneration of religious images, led to widespread revolts in the Exarchate of Ravenna and the Duchy of the Pentapolis against imperial authority. While some sources suggest he excommunicated Leo III, this is not confirmed by Western sources.
Missionary Activity and Diplomacy
Beyond his conflict with the Byzantine Empire, Gregory II was a fervent supporter of missionary endeavors. He commissioned the Anglo-Saxon missionary Boniface, changing his name from Winfrid, to undertake extensive missionary work in Germany, ordaining him bishop in 722. He also played a crucial role in the conversion of Bavaria, instructing delegates to establish a local church hierarchy.
Gregory also engaged in complex diplomacy with the Lombards, particularly King Liutprand. Despite ongoing Lombard incursions into imperial territories, Gregory managed to broker peace agreements and, in 729, reached the Donation of Sutri with Liutprand. This agreement granted the town of Sutri and some surrounding areas to the papacy, representing one of the earliest expansions of papal territory beyond the Duchy of Rome.
Legacy
Pope Gregory II's defiance of imperial iconoclasm and his successful diplomatic maneuvers with the Lombards significantly contributed to the growing independence and temporal power of the papacy. His support for missionary work also expanded the reach of Christianity across Europe. He died on February 11, 731, and is commemorated as a saint on February 13.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pope Gregory II pope?
Pope Gregory II served as the bishop of Rome from May 19, 715, until his death on February 11, 731.
What is Pope Gregory II known for?
He is primarily remembered for his significant role in the iconoclastic controversy, where he defied Emperor Leo III of the Byzantine Empire by rejecting iconoclasm. This defiance helped pave the way for the eventual temporal power of the papacy.
Did Pope Gregory II support missionary work?
Yes, Gregory II was actively involved in expanding Christianity. He commissioned the Anglo-Saxon missionary Winfrid, later known as Boniface, to undertake missionary work in Germany and provided guidance for the conversion of Bavaria.
What was Pope Gregory II's relationship with the Lombards?
Gregory II attempted to maintain diplomatic relations with the Lombards, particularly King Liutprand. He brokered peace agreements and secured the Donation of Sutri, which represented an early territorial expansion for the papacy.
What was the Donation of Sutri?
The Donation of Sutri was an agreement made in 729 between Pope Gregory II and Lombard King Liutprand. Sutri and some surrounding hill towns were given to the papacy, marking one of the first extensions of papal territory beyond the Duchy of Rome.
Related Saints
Catherine of Ricci
Catherine of Ricci was an Italian nun in the Third Order of Saint Dominic, known for her mystic visions and corporeal encounters with Jesus Christ. She is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church for her deep spiritual life, which included experiencing the stigmata and having miraculous visions. She is remembered for her administrative abilities as prioress and her spiritual counsel to prominent church figures.
Pope Gregory III
Pope Gregory III was the bishop of Rome from 731 to 741, serving during a period marked by Byzantine iconoclasm and the advance of the Lombards. He is remembered for his strong opposition to iconoclasm, which led to a synod condemning it, and for his unsuccessful appeals to Charles Martel for aid against the Lombards. Gregory was also the last pope of Syrian origin and the last pope to seek the consent of the Byzantine exarch of Ravenna for his election.
Pope Paul I
Pope Paul I served as the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 757 to 767. He was the brother of Pope Stephen II and was educated for the priesthood alongside him. Paul's pontificate was largely defined by his complex relationships with the Frankish and Lombard kings, as well as the Eastern Roman emperor.