# Hormisdas

> Bishop of Rome from 514 to 523

**Wikidata**: [Q160931](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160931)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Hormisdas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hormisdas

## Summary
Hormisdas was the Bishop of Rome from 514 to 523, serving as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church during a period of significant theological and political tension. He is most notably recognized for his role in restoring communion between the Eastern and Western Churches after the Acacian schism. His papacy emphasized reconciliation and doctrinal unity, and he was later canonized as a saint.

## Biography
- Born: c. 450
- Nationality: Roman (historical context)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Restoring papal authority and ending the Acacian schism
- Employer(s): Catholic Church (Bishop of Rome)
- Field(s): Religion, Ecclesiastical leadership

## Contributions
- Re-established communion with the Eastern Church by securing the submission of the Eastern patriarchs to Rome, effectively ending the Acacian schism.
- Issued the *Formula of Hormisdas*, a doctrinal statement requiring the Eastern bishops to affirm the primacy of the Roman See, which was instrumental in reuniting the churches.
- Oversaw the return of the see of Alexandria to communion with Rome.
- Led efforts to reassert papal supremacy in the aftermath of the schism with Constantinople.

## FAQs
### What is Hormisdas known for?
Hormisdas is best known for ending the Acacian schism, which had divided the Eastern and Western Churches since 484. He achieved this by requiring the Eastern bishops to accept the *Formula of Hormisdas*, a statement of faith that acknowledged the supremacy of the Roman See.

### When was Hormisdas Pope?
Hormisdas served as the Bishop of Rome from 514 to 523.

### What was the Formula of Hormisdas?
The *Formula of Hormisdas* was a statement of faith and ecclesiastical submission that Eastern bishops were required to sign to restore communion with Rome. It was a key element in ending the Acacian schism.

### What were the major events during Hormisdas's papacy?
Hormisdas's papacy was defined by his efforts to restore unity between the Eastern and Western Churches, particularly through the enforcement of the *Formula of Hormisdas*, which required the submission of the Eastern patriarchs to the Roman See.

### Was Hormisdas a saint?
Yes, Hormisdas was later canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on August 6.

## Why They Matter
Hormisdas's papacy was pivotal in restoring unity between the Eastern and Western Churches after the Acacian schism, which had lasted nearly 35 years. His insistence on the *Formula of Hormisdas* not only reasserted papal authority but also set a precedent for doctrinal reconciliation. His actions influenced the structure of future church diplomacy and reinforced the papal primacy, which became a cornerstone of Catholic doctrine.

## Notable For
- Ending the Acacian schism through the *Formula of Hormisdas*
- Reestablishing communion with the Eastern Church
- Canonization as a saint
- Leadership during a critical period of papal history
- Emphasizing papal supremacy in theological disputes

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Hormisdas was born around the year 450. Details about his early life and education are not well-documented, but he rose to prominence within the Church and was elected Pope in 514. His papacy began during a time of significant ecclesiastical division.

### Papal Leadership and the Acacian Schism
Hormisdas became Pope in 514, during a period when the Church was divided by the Acacian schism, which had begun in 484. This schism arose from the controversy over the Henotikon, a document issued by Emperor Zeno that attempted to reconcile the Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian factions but was seen by Rome as compromising orthodoxy.

Hormisdas refused to accept the Henotikon and worked to restore communion with the Eastern Church only under strict adherence to the Chalcedonian definition. He required the Eastern bishops to sign the *Formula of Hormisdas*, which acknowledged the supremacy of the Roman See and the condemnation of the heretical acts of Acacius, the deposed Patriarch of Constantinople.

### The Formula of Hormisdas
The *Formula of Hormisdas* was a pivotal document that required the Eastern bishops to:
- Accept the primacy of the Roman See
- Condemn the actions of Acacius
- Reaffirm the Chalcedonian definition of the faith

This formula was instrumental in ending the schism and restoring communion between the churches.

### Reconciliation with Constantinople
Hormisdas's efforts culminated in the reintegration of the Eastern Church, particularly with the see of Constantinople. The Eastern patriarchs, including the Patriarch of Constantinople, eventually submitted to the terms of the *Formula*, leading to the formal end of the schism.

### Legacy and Canonization
Hormisdas was later canonized as a saint, and his feast day is observed on August 6. His papacy is remembered for its firm stance on orthodoxy and papal authority. His actions laid the groundwork for future papal diplomacy and reinforced the importance of doctrinal unity within the Church.

### Death and Historical Impact
Hormisdas died on August 6, 523. His papacy is seen as a turning point in early medieval church history, where papal authority was reasserted and the unity of the Church was restored through strict adherence to doctrine. His legacy influenced the structure of the medieval papacy and the development of canon law.

### Ecclesiastical Influence
Hormisdas's papacy is a landmark in the history of the Church's governance and theology. His actions had a lasting impact on the papal states and the broader Christian world, setting precedents for future reconciliations and reinforcing the papal primacy in the face of theological and political challenges.

### Religious Observance
As a saint, Hormisdas is commemorated in the Catholic tradition. His contributions to the Church's unity and his role in reestablishing communion are honored in the liturgical calendar, with his feast day marking his significance in Church history.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.almanachdegotha.org/id132.html)
2. [Source](http://www.translationdirectory.com/sense_of_life/article_en_0301.php)
3. [Source](http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/feb/13/popes-full-list)
4. [Source](http://pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk/on-this-day/august/)
5. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
6. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
7. general catalog of BnF
8. Integrated Authority File
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. BnF authorities
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. CERL Thesaurus
13. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
14. Library of Congress Control Number
15. Enciclopedia Treccani
16. Dizionario di Storia
17. FactGrid
18. HMML Authority File