# Agatho

> pope

**Wikidata**: [Q104467](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104467)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Agatho)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/agatho

## Summary

Pope Agatho was a Byzantine-born monk and Catholic priest who served as Pope from 678 until his death in 681 AD. He is best known for convening the Third Council of Constantinople in 680-681 AD, which definitively resolved the Monothelitism controversy and affirmed the Catholic doctrine of Christ's two wills and two energies, thereby restoring unity between the Eastern and Western Churches.

## Biography

- Born: 574 AD (Byzantine Empire)
- Nationality: Byzantine (citizenship: Rome/Papal States)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Convening the Third Council of Constantinople; resolving the Monothelitism controversy; papal reign during the Byzantine Empire
- Employer(s): Catholic Church (Pope of Rome)
- Field(s): Religious leadership; theological diplomacy; ecclesiastical governance

## Contributions

- **Papal Reign (678-681 AD)**: Served as Bishop of Rome for approximately three years, leading the Catholic Church during a critical period of theological controversy.
- **Third Council of Constantinople (680-681 AD)**: Convened and presided over this ecumenical council, which condemned Monothelitism (the doctrine that Christ had only one will) and affirmed the orthodox position that Christ possesses both a divine and human will. This council restored communion between the Eastern and Western Churches.
- **Theological Writings**: As a writer, contributed to the defense of orthodox Catholic doctrine regarding Christ's person and will.
- **Diplomatic Relations**: Maintained relations with the Byzantine Empire during a period of significant theological and political tension between Rome and Constantinople.

## FAQs

**When did Pope Agatho live and serve as Pope?**
Pope Agatho was born in 574 AD and served as Pope from 678 until his death on January 10, 681 AD.

**What major achievement is Pope Agatho known for?**
He is best known for convening the Third Council of Constantinople in 680-681 AD, which resolved the Monothelitism controversy and affirmed the doctrine of Christ's two wills and two energies.

**What was Pope Agatho's background before becoming Pope?**
He was a monk and a Catholic priest in the Byzantine Empire before his election as Pope, and was known for his learning and piety.

**What is the significance of the Third Council of Constantinople?**
The council, convened under Pope Agatho's leadership, definitively settled the Monothelitism controversy by condemning the doctrine that Christ had only one will, thereby restoring theological unity between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

**Where was Pope Agatho from?**
He was from the Byzantine Empire, with connections to Sicily (noted in identifier P2949: Sicily-30).

## Why They Matter

Pope Agatho matters because his pontificate resolved one of the most significant theological controversies in Christian history. The Monothelitism dispute—concerning whether Christ possessed one will or two (divine and human)—had threatened to split the Church between East and West. By convening the Third Council of Constantinople, Agatho provided definitive theological clarity that affirmed orthodox Christology and restored communion between the Eastern and Western Churches. His diplomatic skill in dealing with the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV was crucial in achieving this resolution. The council's decisions, influenced by Agatho's theological positions, shaped Catholic and Orthodox doctrine for centuries to come and remain foundational to mainstream Christian understanding of Christ's person.

## Notable For

- Convened the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681 AD), recognized as the Sixth Ecumenical Council
- Successfully resolved the Monothelitism controversy through diplomatic and theological means
- Restored unity between the Byzantine Empire's Eastern Church and Rome
- Served as Pope during the Byzantine Empire's period of theological and political significance
- Recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church (Saint Agathon)
- Represented the papacy during a critical period of engagement between Rome and Constantinople

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Pope Agatho was born in 574 AD in the Byzantine Empire, with historical connections to Sicily. Before ascending to the papacy, he lived as a monk and served as a Catholic priest. His background as a monk suggests a life devoted to religious contemplation and discipline, which would later inform his theological approach as Pope. The Byzantine context of his formation placed him at the intersection of Eastern theological tradition and Western ecclesiastical authority.

### Ascension to the Papacy

Agatho became Pope in 678 AD, succeeding Pope Donus. His election occurred during a period of significant theological tension between the Eastern and Western Churches over the question of Christ's will. The Byzantine Empire, under Emperor Constantine IV, was seeking reconciliation with Rome after years of controversy surrounding Monothelitism—a doctrine that posited Christ had only one will, rather than distinct divine and human wills.

### The Third Council of Constantinople

The defining achievement of Pope Agatho's pontificate was convening the Third Council of Constantinople in 680-681 AD. This ecumenical council addressed the Monothelitism controversy, which had plagued the Church since the 7th century. The controversy centered on whether Christ, as both fully divine and fully human, possessed one will or two distinct wills.

Under Agatho's leadership and with the backing of Emperor Constantine IV, the council affirmed the orthodox position that Christ possesses two wills—divine and human—united in one person. This decision rejected the Monothelite position and restored theological unity between the Eastern and Western Churches. The council's proceedings demonstrated Agatho's theological acumen and diplomatic skill in navigating complex ecclesiastical politics.

### Theological Contributions

As a writer, Agatho contributed to the theological defense of orthodox Christology. His writings helped articulate the position that would ultimately prevail at the Third Council of Constantinople. The resolution of this controversy was significant not only for its doctrinal clarity but also for its impact on Church unity, as it addressed a dispute that had strained relations between Rome and Constantinople for decades.

### Death and Legacy

Pope Agatho died on January 10, 681 AD, shortly after the conclusion of the Third Council of Constantinople. His death occurred during the council's aftermath, but his theological positions had already been vindicated by the council's decisions. He is remembered as Saint Agathon in the Catholic Church, reflecting his reputation for holiness and his contribution to orthodox Christian doctrine.

### Historical Significance

Agatho's pontificate represents a critical moment in the history of the papacy and its relationship with the Byzantine Empire. His successful navigation of the Monothelitism controversy demonstrated the papacy's capacity to exercise theological leadership on matters of universal Christian doctrine. The Third Council of Constantinople remains recognized as the Sixth Ecumenical Council by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, a testament to the lasting significance of Agatho's work in resolving this foundational theological dispute.

## References

1. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
2. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
7. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
8. Enciclopedia Treccani
9. Dizionario di Storia
10. FactGrid
11. HMML Authority File