We discuss the Popes from Constantine (Pope Sylvester) through until before the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire under Charlemagne (Pope Leo III) -- From 314 till 800.
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The History of the Popes
The Good, the Bad, and the Phony
Session 3, The Popes of the Early Middle Ages
You are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church. (Matthew 16:18)
I. Course Outline
January 28th -- Introduction to the Papacy, Papal Elections, the First Popes
February 4th -- Popes under the time of persecution
February 11th – Popes of the early Middle Ages
February 18th -- Popes in the Holy Roman Empire
February 25th -- Popes in the late Middle Ages
II. The Popes Immediately after Constantine
(see handout from last week)
St Sylvester I: Pope from 314-335. Feast, December 31st. #33
Liberius: Pope from 352-366. #36
St Damasus: Pope from 366-384. Feast, December 11th. #37
St Leo the Great: Pope from 440-461. Traditional feast, April 11th; Novus Ordo, November 10th. #45
Vigilius: Pope from 537-555. #59
III. The Popes before the Holy Roman Empire (before 800)
St Gregory the Great: Pope from 590-604. #64
Honorius I: Pope from 625-638. The question of an "heretical" Pope? Honorius had written a letter to Sergius I the Patriarch of Constantinople, and stated that Jesus had only one will. This is not an accurate statement, and is even heretical at face value - because Jesus has two wills, divine and human. Honorius was later condemned as a heretic by the Third Council of Constantinople (in 681) and this condemnation was even confirmed by Pope St Leo II (in 682). The Council condemned him for that he “with unheard of expressions disseminated amidst the faithful people the heresy of the one will” and by St Leo II for that he “ did not attempt to sanctify this Apostolic Church with the teaching of apostolic tradition, but by profane treachery permitted its purity to be polluted.”
This becomes an extremely important point in the debate about papal infallibility (Vatican I, Bl Pius IX), but we emphasize that Honorius did not proclaim an actual heresy as to be held by all. Furthermore, he did not intend to claim that Jesus had only one divine will and no human will, but only that his human will was one and not divided. Therefore, although he did not teach as clearly as he should have, he did not actually commit a heresy, nor did Honorius intend to bind all the faithful to an heretical belief.
St Martin I: Pope from 649-655. He is the last pope recognized as a martyr. He held the Catholic doctrine of the two wills of Christ (human and divine), condemning monothelitism. The Emperor Constans was heretical, and had Martin arrested along with St Maximus the Confessor (one of the most important theologians). He was imprisoned and also exiled, and may have relinquished the Papacy to allow for the election of a new pope to govern the Church. He died in exile from the hardships he endured. Traditional feast is November 12th (the day after St Martin of Tours); new feast is April 13th. #74
Pope-elect Stephen (aka Stephen II): Almost pope in 752. He was elected when a priest but died of a stroke before be consecrated a bishop. Although he was for some time thought to be a valid pope, this has been clarified that he was not a pope since he was not a bishop. This event does teach us a bit about the nature of the Pope as Bishop of Rome.
IV. The Popes in the Holy Roman Empire
St Leo III: Pope from 795-816. He crowned Charlemagne on Christmas day, 800. This starts the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne had defended the pope against various adversaries, and there is a story of a miraculous healing after enemies had plucked out Leo’s eyes. Feast is June 12th. #96
V. Popes we will discuss in the next weeks
Nicholas I, the Great: Pope from 858-867. Last Pope called the great, relatively little known. Filioque and also abstaining from meat on Wednesday and Friday - distinction of warm/cold blooded animals. #105
John VIII: Pope from 872-882. First Pope assassinated.
Formosus: Pope from 891-896. Story of cadaver synod with Popes Stephen VI and later Sergius III. #111
Stephen VI: Pope from 896-897. Cadaver Synod. #113
Sergius III: Pope from 904-911. More trouble about Pope Formosus. #119
Gregory V: Pope from 996-999. He was only the 5th Pope to take a different name (given name was Bruno). After him, it is standard for popes to take a new name. #138
Benedict IX: Pope from 1032-1048. Youngest Pope at 20yrs old. Had extreme scandal with three different pontificates - he sold the papacy, resigned, etc. #145, 147, 150.
Nicholas II: Pope 1058-1061. During his time, the college of cardinals was formalized a great deal. We discuss more about papal elections and cardinals. #155
St Gregory VII: Pope from 1073-1085. The great Hildebrand! Had been a papal advisor for many years and then, as pope, continued some of the most important reforms of the Middle Ages. #157
Innocent III: Pope from 1198-1216. He approved of St Francis establishing his order. Although not a saint, he is one of the great popes. #178
