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The Sixth Century in Church History
What happened in this century?
Contact Mark Nickens, Ph.D. in Church History, at drnickens@triad.rr.com. Questions, comments, and observations are welcome!
Go to Study Church History here. |
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532 Boniface II died and John II became Pope the next year. He was the first pope to change his name, Mercurius being his birth name and being the name of a pagan god.
535 John II died and Agapitus became Pope. While in Constantinople the next year he was poisoned by the Emperor's wife Theodora; she was of the Eutychian persuasion.
536 Agapitus died (see above) and Silverius became Pope. The Byzantium (Eastern Roman) Emperor Justinian captured Rome (led by his general) and Silverius was exiled to the island of Ponza.
537 Pope Silverius was forced to renounce his Papacy while under Byzantium exile and then assassinated. Vigilius became Pope.
537 Hagia Sophia consecrated. Known as "Holy Wisdom" (Greek "Hagia Sophia"; Latin "Sancta Sophia"), this church was the finest example of Byzantine architecture and was the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople for almost 1000 years.
550 Benedict of Nursia died. He is known as the "Father of Western Monasticism." During his lifetime he established twelve monasteries with twelve monks apiece. He also wrote his Rule (c. 540), which contains regulations for maintaining a monastery and the monastic life; this Rule became exceedingly popular.
More info: To read one of Benedict's chapters, one of living a holy life, click here.
553 Council of Constantinople II.
590 Pelagius II died and Gregory I became Pope. He would become the second pope known as "the Great." The first was Leo I who died in 461.
More info: Gregory did not desire the papacy, to learn more about his life, click here.
596 Gregory I sends Augustine of Canterbury to England to reestablish Christianity.
More info: To learn more about Augustine's mission, and why he settled in Canterbury, click here. |
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Primary Sources |
| Question/comments contact Mark at drnickens@triad.rr.com. |
Bibliography
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Isidore of Seville, whose Book of Sentences was the key book of theology until the twelfth century
589 In a synod in Toledo, Spain, the filioque, asserting that the Holy Spirit procedes from the Father and the Son is added to the Nicene Creed. This error is later adopted by Rome. This is one of the differences between the east and the west.