Pope Zosimus

Pope Zosimus was the bishop of Rome from March 18, 417, to his death on December 26, 418. His pontificate was characterized by his active involvement in significant ecclesiastical disputes in Gaul, Africa, and Italy, often marked by a fractious temper that colored his dealings.

Family Background and Early Life

According to the Liber Pontificalis, Zosimus was of Greek origin, and his father's name was Abramius. Historian Adolf von Harnack speculated that the family might have been of Jewish origin, a deduction that has been rejected by other scholars like Louis Duchesne.

Pontificate and Jurisdictional Disputes

Zosimus's consecration took place on March 18, 417. Early in his papacy, he granted extensive powers to Bishop Patroclus of Arles, conferring upon him the rights of a metropolitan over the Gallic provinces of Viennensis and Narbonensis I and II, and making him a papal vicar for all of Gaul. This elevation of Arles's authority was contested by the bishops of Vienne, Narbonne, and Marseille, who saw it as an infringement of their rights. This dispute over jurisdiction was not resolved until the pontificate of Pope Leo I.

Confrontation with Pelagianism

A major focus of Zosimus's pontificate was the confrontation with Pelagianism. Caelestius, a follower of Pelagius who had been condemned by Pope Innocent I, came to Rome to appeal to Zosimus. Zosimus convened meetings of the Roman clergy where Caelestius appeared. Initially, Zosimus was persuaded by Caelestius's confession of faith, considering the African bishops' condemnation too hasty. He wrote to the African bishops in this vein and called for any accusers to appear in Rome.

After receiving a confession of faith and a treatise on free will from Pelagius, Zosimus held another synod which found the writings orthodox. He again wrote to the African bishops, defending Pelagius and reproving his accusers. However, the Archbishop of Carthage quickly convened a synod that informed Zosimus he had been deceived. Following a new synodal letter from the African council on May 1, 418, and actions taken by Emperor Honorius against the Pelagians, Zosimus issued his Tractoria, definitively condemning Pelagianism and its proponents.

Dispute over Appeals

Shortly after the Pelagian affair, Zosimus became embroiled in a dispute with the African bishops regarding the right of clerics condemned by their bishops to appeal to the Roman See. When the priest Apiarius of Sicca appealed directly to the pope after being excommunicated, Zosimus accepted the appeal and sent legates to Africa. His action was problematic as he based his claim on a canon from the First Council of Nicaea that was, in reality, a canon from the Council of Sardica. This misattribution, stemming from differences in manuscript traditions, ignited a significant disagreement over papal authority in appeals.

Legacy

Beyond his major confrontations, Zosimus is credited with letters concerning Priscillianism and ordination practices in Gaul and Spain. The Liber Pontificalis attributes to him decrees on the wearing of the maniple by deacons, the dedication of Easter candles in rural parishes, and a prohibition against clerics visiting taverns. He was buried in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls. His papacy highlights the evolving tensions and assertions of authority within the early Church.