- Pope Theodore I
Infobox Pope
English name=Theodore I
term_start=November 24 ,642
term_end=May 14 ,649
predecessor=John IV
successor=Martin I
birth_date=???
birthplace=Palestine
dead=dead|death_date=death date|649|5|14|mf=y
deathplace=???
other=TheodorePope Theodore I (d.
May 14 ,649 ), who waspope November 24 ,642 -May 14 649 , is considered a Greek, but was born inPalestine . He was made a cardinal deacon, (possibly around 640) and a full cardinal byPope John IV .His election was supported by the
Exarch and he was installed onNovember 24 ,642 , succeeding the short reign of Pope John IV. The main feature of his pontificate was the continued struggle against the heretical Monothelites. He refused to recognize Paul as thePatriarch of Constantinople , because his predecessor, Pyrrhus, had not been correctly replaced. He pressed EmperorConstans II to withdraw the "Ecthesis" ofHeraclius . While his efforts made little impression onConstantinople , it increased the opposition to the heresy in the West; Pyrrhus even briefly recanted his heresy (645), but was excommunicated in 648. Paul was excommunicated in 649; in response Paul destroyed the Roman altar in the palace ofPlacidia and exiled or imprisoned the papalnuncio s. But he also sought to end the issue with the Emperor, by promulgating theType of Constans , ordering that the "Ecthesis" be taken down and seeking to end discussion on the doctrine. The decree was condemned, but not by Theodore, who died before he could formulate his answer, leaving his successor,Pope Martin I , to face the Imperial anger. Theodore was buried in St. Peter's.
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