Pope Vitalian

Pope Vitalian, who served as the bishop of Rome from July 30, 657, until his death on January 27, 672, navigated a complex and often turbulent period in the history of the Papacy. His pontificate was profoundly shaped by the ongoing theological disputes between the burgeoning Western Church and the Byzantine imperial government in Constantinople, particularly concerning the contentious doctrine of Monothelitism. Beyond these doctrinal struggles, Vitalian also faced significant challenges to papal authority closer to home, most notably the temporary secession of the influential Archbishopric of Ravenna.

Theological Disputes: Confronting Monothelitism

A defining feature of Pope Vitalian's reign was the continued struggle against Monothelitism, a Christological doctrine that had emerged in the early 7th century. This theological position posited that while Christ possessed two natures (divine and human), He had only a single "will" or "energy" (from the Greek "monos" meaning one, and "thelēma" meaning will). It was an attempt by Byzantine emperors, notably Emperor Heraclius and later Constans II, to reconcile various Christian factions, including the Monophysites, within the empire and restore religious unity. However, the Papacy, along with orthodox theologians, condemned Monothelitism as a subtle negation of Christ's full humanity, arguing that a complete human nature must inherently include a human will alongside His divine will. Rome had firmly rejected this doctrine, notably at the Lateran Council of 649 convened by Pope Martin I, Vitalian's predecessor, who suffered exile and death for his unwavering opposition.

While Vitalian maintained the Roman condemnation of Monothelitism, his approach to the imperial court was often characterized by a delicate balance of firmness in doctrine and diplomatic conciliation. He sought to re-establish communion with Constantinople without compromising the theological integrity of the Latin Church.

What was Monothelitism?

Monothelitism was a 7th-century Christian theological doctrine that asserted Jesus Christ had only one "will" or "energy," despite having two natures (divine and human). It was proposed as a compromise to reconcile Monophysites but was ultimately condemned by the Roman Church as a heresy because it was seen as undermining Christ's full humanity.

Imperial Relations: Emperor Constans II in Rome

A significant highlight of Vitalian's pontificate was the historic visit of Emperor Constans II to Rome in 663 CE. This marked the first time a Byzantine emperor had visited the former imperial capital in over two centuries, since Constantius II in 357 CE, underscoring its symbolic importance. Constans II, facing threats from the Lombards in Italy and seeking to bolster his presence in the West, arrived in Rome and was received with great pomp and ceremony by Pope Vitalian. Despite the ongoing theological disagreements concerning Monothelitism, their relationship during the visit was largely conciliatory and diplomatic. The Emperor offered substantial gifts to the Papacy and the churches of Rome, an act that symbolized a temporary renewal of imperial favor and recognition of Rome's spiritual primacy, even if it did not resolve the deep-seated doctrinal schism. This visit, however, was also marked by Constans II's controversial act of stripping various Roman monuments, including the bronze tiles from the Pantheon, to fund his military campaigns, a move that highlighted the strained economic realities of the empire.

Why did Emperor Constans II visit Rome during Vitalian's pontificate?

Emperor Constans II visited Rome in 663 CE, becoming the first emperor in over two centuries to do so. His motivations were multifaceted: to strengthen imperial control in Italy against Lombard incursions, to gather resources for his military campaigns, and to foster a more conciliatory relationship with the Papacy, despite ongoing theological disputes, particularly over Monothelitism.

Ecclesiastical Autonomy: The Ravenna Secession

Amidst these broader imperial and theological concerns, Pope Vitalian also grappled with a direct challenge to papal jurisdiction within Italy: the secession of the Archbishopric of Ravenna. Ravenna, serving as the seat of the Byzantine Exarchate in Italy, held significant political and ecclesiastical influence. During Vitalian's pontificate, its archbishop, Maurus, bolstered by imperial decree from Constans II, declared Ravenna autocephalous, effectively independent of papal authority. This imperial "Privilegium," granted around 666 CE, aimed to weaken papal power and consolidate Byzantine control over the Italian Church. Archbishop Maurus even went so far as to consecrate bishops without papal permission, directly defying Roman tradition and authority. This act represented a substantial blow to the Papacy's asserted supremacy and highlighted the persistent struggle between local ecclesiastical ambition, imperial political maneuvering, and Roman universal claims. Although this secession was temporary and later reversed, it underscored the fragile nature of papal authority in the face of strong secular and local ecclesiastical powers in the 7th century.

What was the significance of Ravenna's secession during Pope Vitalian's reign?

The secession of the Archbishopric of Ravenna from papal authority, instigated by Archbishop Maurus with imperial backing (the "Privilegium" of Constans II), was a significant challenge to the Papacy's universal jurisdiction. It represented a direct attempt by the Byzantine Empire to diminish Roman ecclesiastical influence in Italy and establish an independent church authority closer to the imperial seat of power in the West, temporarily undermining papal supremacy.