Pope Saint Agapitus I

Biography

Pope Saint Agapetus I, also known as Agapitus I, was born in Rome, Italy, and was the son of a priest named Gordian. Unfortunately, his father was murdered, possibly as a result of his priestly duties. Agapetus himself dedicated his life to the service of God and the Church, eventually becoming the Archdeacon of the priests in Rome. In the year 535, when Agapetus was already very old, he was elected as the Bishop of Rome, taking on the position of Pope. His papal reign, however, was short-lived, lasting for less than a year. Nonetheless, Agapetus managed to leave a significant impact during his brief period as the head of the Catholic Church. One of the notable events during Agapetus' papacy was his mission to prevent the invasion of Italy by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, who sought to re-establish Roman control of the western empire. Agapetus traveled to Constantinople in an attempt to dissuade Justinian from his plans. Unfortunately, he failed in that endeavor, and Italy was eventually invaded by Byzantine forces. Despite his unsuccessful intervention, Agapetus achieved a significant victory for the Orthodox Church. During his time in Constantinople, he successfully had the Monophysite Patriarch, Anthimus, replaced by the more orthodox Mennas. This removal resulted in the restoration of orthodoxy and the reaffirmation of the Council of Chalcedon's Christological formula, against the Monophysite heresy. Agapetus passed away on April 22, 536, in Constantinople, from natural causes while still on his mission. His remains were brought back to Rome and interred in Saint Peter's Basilica, where he rests to this day. Pope Saint Agapetus I was canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church, but since his canonization occurred prior to the establishment of formal canonization processes, he is considered a saint of the Pre-Congregation era. His feast day is celebrated on April 22, the day of his death, as well as on September 20 in commemoration of his internment in Saint Peter's Basilica. Though Pope Saint Agapetus I's papacy was short, his efforts to uphold orthodoxy and maintain the unity of the Church during a tumultuous period of history are revered and celebrated to this day.