Difference between revisions of "Anthimus I of Constantinople"

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title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
 
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
 
years=535–536|
 
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after=[[Menas of Constantinople|Menas]]}}
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Revision as of 15:42, August 2, 2011

Anthimus I of Constantinople, also Anthimus of Trebizond, was the Patriarch of Constantinople during the years 535 and 536. While harboring Monophysite sympathies, he was elected patriarch avowing support of the Orthodox Christian party. Subsequently, he was deposed after his sympathies for Monophysitism became open.

Life

The early life of Anthimus is largely unknown. He was the Bishop of Trebizond before he became the Patriarch of Constantinople. In 532, he had participated in meetings at Constantinople concerning religious and political unity between the eastern and western parts of the Roman Empire. While outwardly supporting the Orthodox party concerning the ongoing Monophysite controversy, Anthimus corresponded with Patriarchs Severus of Antioch and Theodosius of Alexandria who were the principal theoreticians of the monotheistic heresy.

After the death of Patr. Epiphanius in June 535, the empress Theodora, who was sympathetic to Monophysitism, maneuvered the appointment of Anthimus as patriarch of Constantinople over the objections of the Orthodox clergy. While appearing to maintain Orthodoxy in his relations with Pope Agapetus I of Rome, Anthimus secretly supported the Monophysite cause. In March 536, Pope Agapetus visited Constantinople and discovered Patr. Anthimus' true position as upon his arrival members of the clergy entered charges against Anthimus as an intruder and a heretic. After Anthimus refused to make a written profession of faith, Agapetus broke off ecclesiastical communion with the patriarch and, then, convened a synod that deposed him and nullified his ministerial power.

After Anthimus was condemned at council in Constantinople, he entered into monastic seclusion under the protection of empress Theodora until her death in 548. The date of his death is unknown.

Succession box:
Anthimus I of Constantinople
Preceded by:
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Bishop of Trebizond
5xx–535
Succeeded by:
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Preceded by:
Epiphanius
Patriarch of Constantinople
535–536
Succeeded by:
Menas
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Sources