Antipope Laurentius

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Laurentius (possibly Caelius) was the Archpriest of

See of Rome. Elected in 498 at the Basilica Saint Mariae (presumably Saint Maria Maggiore) with the support of a dissenting faction with Byzantine sympathies, who were supported by Eastern Roman Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus, in opposition to Pope Symmachus, the division between the two opposing factions split not only the church, but the Senate
and the people of Rome. However, Laurentius remained in Rome as pope until 506.

Biography

Archpriest of

Anastasius that Pope Anastasius II would approve the Henotikon, but upon returning from Constantinople he found the Pope had died.[1]

The groups supporting Laurentius and Symmachus split the clergy,

solidi were distributed amongst influential personages, whom it would be indiscreet to name.[4]

Finding himself victorious, Symmachus proceeded to call a synod held at Rome on 1 March 499, which was attended by 72 bishops and all of the Roman clergy, with the aim of confirming that his congregation accepted the king's judgment, as well as ensuring in the future there would be no rioting or illegal canvassing at election time. He also tried to appease his opposition by offering Laurentius the

Diocese of Nuceria, in Campania.[5] According to the account in the Liber Pontificalis, Symmachus bestowed the see on Laurentius "guided by sympathy", but the "Laurentian Fragment" states that Laurentius "was severely threatened and cajoled, and forcibly despatched" to Nuceria.[6] In either case, the subscription of Aprilis, bishop of Nuceria, to the acta of the synod of 502 suggests Laurentius either never took up the see, or was deposed from it soon after.[7]

However, Laurentius' supporters sustained the schism. Led by Festus, a group of clerics and senators laid charges against Symmachus in an attempt to secure his deposition. Theodoric summoned Symmachus to

communion with Laurentius.[8]

A contentious synod held in 502 failed to resolve the schism. Laurentius returned to Rome later that year, and for the following four years, according to the "Laurentian Fragment", he held its churches and ruled as pope, with the support of Festus.[9] Laurentius was only forced from his position when a diplomatic effort to convince Theodoric to intervene succeeded. Conducted chiefly by two non-Roman supporters, the Milanese deacon Ennodius and the exiled deacon Dioscorus, they convinced the king's personal physician, the deacon Helpidius, and then convinced Theodoric to instruct Festus to hand over the Roman churches to Symmachus.[10]

Once news of Theodoric's decision reached Rome, Laurentius retired from the city to one of Festus's estates, according to the "Laurentian Fragment", because "he did not want the city to be troubled by daily strife", where he fasted constantly until his death.[11]

See also

References

  1. S2CID 162650963
    .
  2. ISBN 978-0710000989
    .
  3. ^ Davies (trans.), Book of Pontiffs, p. 97
  4. ^ Richards, Popes and the papacy, pp. 70f
  5. ^ Richards, Popes and the papacy, pp. 70
  6. ^ The Book of Pontiffs (Liber Pontificalis), translated with introduction by Raymond Davies (Liverpool: University Press, 1989), pp. 44, 97
  7. ^ Richards, Popes and the papacy, p. 327
  8. ^ Richards, Popes and the papacy, p. 71
  9. ^ Davies (trans.), Book of Pontiffs, p. 98
  10. ^ Richards, Popes and the papacy, p. 76
  11. ^ Davies (trans.), Book of Pontiffs, p. 99

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antipope_Laurentius&oldid=1210261549"