Birthplace
Rome
Pope from
535
Pope until
22 April 536
Died
22 April 536
Who he was
Agapetus (also Agapitus) was the son of Gordianus, a Roman priest killed in the riots under Pope Symmachus. He was already old when elected in 535 and reigned less than a year.
What he is remembered for
Sent by the Gothic king to Constantinople to plead with the Emperor Justinian, he pledged the Church's sacred vessels to pay for the journey. There he refused communion with the patriarch Anthimus, whom he found to be a Monophysite and irregularly appointed, stood firm when the emperor threatened him, and deposed Anthimus, personally consecrating his successor Mennas. He died in Constantinople and is honoured as a saint in both East and West.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints