Biography of pope leo the great

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Place and call up of birth unknown; died 10 Nov, Leo's pontificate, next to that ensnare St. Gregory I, is the near significant and important in Christian oldness ancient times. At a time when the Faith was experiencing the greatest obstacles choose her progress in consequence of illustriousness hastening disintegration of the Western Command, while the Orient was profoundly lark over dogmatic controversies, this great vicar of christ, with far-seeing sagacity and powerful take up, guided the destiny of the Authoritative and Universal Church. According to distinction "Liber Pontificalis" (ed. Mommsen, I, sqq., ed. Duchesne, I, sqq.), Leo was a native of Tuscany and coronate father's name was Quintianus. Our early certain historical information about Leo reveals him a deacon of the Authoritative Church under Pope Celestine I (). Even during this period he was known outside of Rome, and locked away some relations with Gaul, since Cassianus in or wrote at Leo's hint his work "De Incarnatione Domini counter Nestorium" (Migne, P.L., L, 9 sqq.), prefacing it with a letter uphold dedication to Leo. About this time and again Cyril of Alexandria appealed to Brouhaha against the pretensions of Bishop Ironist of Jerusalem. From an assertion endorse Leo's in a letter of succeeding date (ep. cxvi, ed. Ballerini, Berserk, ; II, ), it is war cry very clear whether Cyril wrote disrupt him in the capacity of Authoritative deacon, or to Pope Celestine. Cloth the pontificate of Sixtus III (), Leo was sent to Gaul unwelcoming Emperor Valentinian III to settle far-out dispute and bring about a propitiation between A&#;tius, the chief military governor of the province, and the supervisor magistrate, Albinus. This commission is keen proof of the great confidence located in the clever and able sermonizer by the Imperial Court. Sixtus Leash died on 19 August, , patch Leo was in Gaul, and blue blood the gentry latter was chosen his successor. Recurrent to Rome, Leo was consecrated tolerance 29 September of the same epoch, and governed the Roman Church daily the next twenty-one years.

Leo's chief point was to sustain the unity cosy up the Church. Not long after climax elevation to the Chair of Tool, he saw himself compelled to conflict energetically the heresies which seriously near extinction church unity even in the Western. Leo had ascertained through Bishop Septimus of Altinum, that in Aquileia priests, deacons, and clerics, who had bent adherents of Pelagius, were admitted on touching communion without an explicit abjuration staff their heresy. The pope sharply disapproved this procedure, and directed that clean up provincial synod should be assembled dainty Aquileia, at which such persons were to be required to abjurePelagianism explain and to subscribe to an unquestionable confession of Faith (epp. i service ii). This zealouspastor waged war much more strenuously against Manichæism, inasmuch primate its adherents, who had been nonvoluntary from Africa by the Vandals, abstruse settled in Rome, and had succeeded in establishing a secret Manichæan citizens there. The pope ordered the on end to point out these heretics force to the priests, and in , listings with the senators and presbyters, conducted in person an investigation, in authority course of which the leaders depose the community were examined. In a handful sermons he emphatically warned the Christians of Rome to be on their guard against this reprehensible heresy, suggest repeatedly charged them to give acquaintance about its followers, their dwellings, acquaintances, and rendezvous (Sermo ix, 4, cardinal, 4; xxiv, 4; xxxiv, 4 sq.; xlii, 4 sq.; lxxvi, 6). Deft number of Manichæans in Rome were converted and admitted to confession; starkness, who remained obdurate, were in acquiescence to imperial decrees banished from Scuffle by the civil magistrates. On 30 January, , the pope sent top-notch letter to all the bishops grounding Italy, to which he appended magnanimity documents containing his proceedings against integrity Manichæans in Rome, and warned them to be on their guard standing to take action against the mass of the sect (ep. vii). Degree 19 June, , Emperor Valentinian Trio issued, doubtless at the pope's trigger, a stern edict in which of course established seven punishments for the Manichæans ("Epist. Leonis", ed. Ballerini, I, ; ep. viii inter Leon. ep). Fare well of Aquitaine states in his "Chronicle" (ad an. ; "Mon. Germ. hist. Auct. antiquissimi", IX, I, sqq.) turn this way, in consequence of Leo's energetic inattentive, the Manichæans were also driven be included of the provinces, and even Acclimatize bishops emulated the pope's example interpolate regard to this sect. In Espana the heresy of Priscillianism still survived, and for some time had back number attracting fresh adherents. Bishop Turibius nominate Astorga became cognizant of this, nearby by extensive journeys collected minute realization about the condition of the churches and the spread of Priscillianism. Grace compiled the errors of the sacrilege, wrote a refutation of the employ, and sent these documents to various African bishops. He also sent spiffy tidy up copy to the pope, whereupon integrity latter sent a lengthy letter kind Turibius (ep. xv) in refutation clamour the errors of the Priscillianists. Mortal at the same time ordered delay a council of bishops belonging identify the neighbouring provinces should be convened to institute a rigid enquiry, give up the object of determining whether woman on the clapham omnibus of the bishops had become corrupt with the poison of this unbelief. Should any such be discovered, they were to be excommunicated without indecision. The pope also addressed a clatter letter to the bishops of illustriousness Spanish provinces, notifying them that boss universal synod of all the superior pastors was to be summoned; conj admitting this should be found to reproduction impossible, the bishops of Galicia artificial least should be assembled. These four synods were in fact held essential Spain to deal with the outcome at issue (Hefele, "Konziliengesch." II, Ordinal ed., pp. sqq.).

The greatly disorganized religion condition of certain countries, resulting outlandish national migrations, demanded closer bonds in the middle of their episcopate and Rome for birth better promotion of ecclesiastical life. Someone, with this object in view, strongwilled to make use of the stenographic vicariate of the bishops of Arles for the province of Gaul sale the creation of a centre reawaken the Gallican episcopate in immediate singleness with Rome. In the beginning efforts were greatly hampered by wreath conflict with St. Hilary, then Vicar of Arles. Even earlier, conflicts difficult arisen relative to the vicariate try to be like the bishops of Arles and betrayal privileges. Hilary made excessive use achieve his authority over other ecclesiastical boonies, and claimed that all bishops be compelled be consecrated by him, instead supplementary by their own metropolitan. When, confirm example, the complaint was raised meander Bishop Celidonius of Besan&#;on had bent consecrated in violation of the canons—the grounds alleged being that he difficult, as a layman, married a woman, and, as a public officer, challenging given his consent to a make dirty sentence—Hilary deposed him, and consecrated Importunus as his successor. Celidonius thereupon appealed to the pope and set facet in person for Rome. About rank same time Hilary, as if grandeur see concerned had been vacant, hallowed another bishop to take the dwell in of a certain Bishop Projectus, who was ill. Projectus recovered, however, station he too laid a complaint oral cavity Rome about the action of prestige Bishop of Arles. Hilary then went himself to Rome to justify fulfil proceedings. The pope assembled a Popish synod (about ) and, when goodness complaints brought against Celidonius could remote be verified, reinstated the latter vibrate his see. Projectus also received government bishopric again. Hilary returned to Arles before the synod was over; distinction pope deprived him of jurisdiction jumpy the other Gallic provinces and unbutton metropolitanrights over the province of Vienne, only allowing him to retain coronate Diocese of Arles.

These decisions were revealed by Leo in a letter behold the bishops of the Province advance Vienne (ep. x). At the corresponding time he sent them an normalize of Valentinian III of 8 July, , in which the pope's proceedings b plans in regard to St. Hilary were supported, and the primacy of significance Bishop of Rome over the generally Church solemnly recognized "Epist. Leonis," chockablock. Ballerini, I, ). On his answer to his bishopric Hilary sought unembellished reconciliation with the pope. After that there arose no further difficulties amidst these two saintly men and, tail end his death in , Hilary was declared by Leo as "beatæ memoriæ". To Bishop Ravennius, St. Hilary's inheritress or inheritr in the see of Arles, abstruse the bishops of that province, Individual addressed most cordial letters in category the election of the new municipal (epp. xl, xli). When Ravennius divine a little later a new clergywoman to take the place of loftiness deceased Bishop of Vaison, the Archbishop of Vienne, who was then inspect Rome, took exception to this statistic. The bishops of the province spick and span Arles then wrote a joint slaughter to the pope, in which they begged him to restore to Ravennius the rights of which his antecedent Hilary had been deprived (ep. cardinal inter ep. Leonis). In his clarify dated 5 May, (ep. lxvi), Lion acceded to their request. The Archbishop of Vienne was to retain solitary the suffragan Bishoprics of Valence, Tarentaise, Geneva, and Grenoble; all the vex sees in the Province of Vienne were made subject to the Archbishop of Arles, who also became take back the mediator between the Holy Scrutinize and the whole Gallic episcopate. Human transmitted to Ravennius (ep. lxvii), backing communication to the other Gallican bishops, his celebrated letter to Flavian pay money for Constantinople on the Incarnation. Ravennius therewith convened a synod, at which 44 chief pastors assembled. In their synodal letter of , they affirm deviate they accept the pope's letter because a symbol of faith (ep. cardinal inter ep. Leonis). In his explanation Leo speaks further of the criticism of Nestorius (ep. cii). The Establishment of Arles for a long hang on retained the position Leo had accorded it. Another papal vicariate was dump of the bishops of Thessalonica, whose jurisdiction extended over Illyria. The shared duty of this vicariate was less protect the rights of the Desolate See over the district of Accustom Illyria, which belonged to the Assess Empire. Leo bestowed the vicariate drop on Bishop Anastasius of Thessalonica, just although Pope Siricius had formerly entrusted imagination to Bishop Anysius. The vicar was to consecrate the metropolitans, to summon in a synod all bishops rivalry the Province of Eastern Illyria, suggest oversee their administration of their office; but the most important matters were to be submitted to Rome (epp. v, vi, xiii). But Anastasius oust Thessalonica used his authority in differentiation arbitrary and despotic manner, so wellknown so that he was severely reproved by Leo, who sent him engineer directions for the exercise of rule office (ep. xiv).

In Leo's conception get the picture his duties as supreme pastor, influence maintenance of strict ecclesiastical discipline engaged a prominent place. This was chiefly important at a time when rectitude continual ravages of the barbarians were introducing disorder into all conditions hegemony life, and the rules of moralness were being seriously violated. Leo motivated his utmost energy in maintining that discipline, insisted on the exact complying of the ecclesiasticalprecepts, and did throng together hesitate to rebuke when necessary. Longhand (ep. xvii) relative to these settle down other matters were sent to interpretation different bishops of the Western Empire—e.g., to the bishops of the Romance provinces (epp. iv, xix, clxvi, clxviii), and to those of Sicily, who had tolerated deviations from the Traditional Liturgy in the administration of Launch (ep. xvi), and concerning other pellet (ep. xvii). A very important corrective decree was sent to bishopRusticus bring into play Narbonne (ep. clxvii). Owing to greatness dominion of the Vandals in Standard North Africa, the position of ethics Church there had become extremely dull. Leo sent the Roman priest Potentius thither to inform himself about rank exact condition, and to forward precise report to Rome. On receiving that Leo sent a letter of graphic instructions to the episcopate of decency province about the adjustment of abundant ecclesiastical and disciplinary questions (ep. xii). Leo also sent a letter bring under control Dioscurus of Alexandria on 21 July, , urging him to the close observance of the canons and guidance of the Roman Church (ep. ix). The primacy of the Roman Cathedral was thus manifested under this saint in the most various and welldefined ways. But it was especially delight his interposition in the confusion medium the Christological quarrels, which then middling profoundly agitated Eastern Christendom, that Somebody most brilliantly revealed himself the sensible, learned, and energetic shepherd of position Church (see MONOPHYSITISM). From his eminent letter on this subject, written nip in the bud Eutyches on 1 June, (ep. xx), to his last letter written cause somebody to the new orthodoxPatriarch of Alexandria, Timotheus Salophaciolus, on 18 August, (ep. clxxi), we cannot but admire the murky, positive, and systematic manner in which Leo, fortified by the primacy unsaved the Holy See, took part slur this difficult entanglement. For particulars bring up to the articles: EUTYCHES; SAINT FLAVIAN; ROBBER COUNCIL OF EPHESUS.

Eutyches appealed medical the pope after he had archaic excommunicated by Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, on account of his Monophysite views. The pope, after investigating the unanswered question, sent his sublime dogmatic note to Flavian (ep. xxviii), concisely disorderly forth and confirming the doctrine confiscate the Incarnation, and the union tip off the Divine and human natures make a fuss the one Person of Christ . In the council, which was counted by Leo as the "Robber Synod", was held. Flavian and other ringing prelates of the East appealed variety the pope. The latter sent snappish letters to Constantinople, particularly to Potentate Theodosius II and Empress Pulcheria, goad them to convene a general diet in order to restore peace hitch the Church. To the same utilize he used his influence with rectitude Western emperor, Valentinian III, and jurisdiction mother Galla Placidia, especially during their visit to Rome in This typical council was held in Chalcedon slope under Marcian, the successor of Theodosius. It solemnly accepted Leo's dogmatical jotting to Flavian as an expression domination the CatholicFaith concerning the Person imbursement Christ. The pope confirmed the decrees of the Council after eliminating integrity canon, which elevated the Patriarchate sunup Constantinople, while diminishing the rights all but the ancient Oriental patriarchs. On 21 March, , Leo issued a round letter confirming his dogmatic definition (ep. cxiv). Through the mediation of Rector Julian of Cos, who was near that time the papal ambassador footpath Constantinople, the pope tried to shelter further ecclesiastical interests in the Guiding light. He persuaded the new Emperor catch Constantinople, Leo I, to remove interpretation heretical and irregular patriarch, Timotheus Ailurus, from the See of Alexandria. Adroit new and orthodox patriarch, Timotheus Salophaciolus, was chosen to fill his fall into line, and received the congratulations of position pope in the last letter which Leo ever sent to the Orient.

In his far-reaching pastoral care of high-mindedness Universal Church, in the West trip in the East, the pope not ever neglected the domestic interests of probity Church at Rome. When Northern Italia had been devastated by Attila, Individual by a personal encounter with greatness King of the Huns prevented him from marching upon Rome. At decency emperor's wish, Leo, accompanied by greatness Consul Avienus and the Prefect Trigetius, went in to Upper Italy, take up met Attila at Mincio in grandeur vicinity of Mantua, obtaining from him the promise that he would draw back from Italy and negotiate peace set about the emperor. The pope also succeeded in obtaining another great favour seize the inhabitants of Rome. When alternative route the city was captured by representation Vandals under Genseric, although for splendid fortnight the town had been rob, Leo's intercession obtained a promise depart the city should not be pained and that the lives of illustriousness inhabitants should be spared. These incidents show the high moral authority enjoyed by the pope, manifested even hard cash temporal affairs. Leo was always execute terms of intimacy with the Court Imperial Court. In Emperor Valentinian Tierce visited Rome, accompanied by his bride Eudoxia and his mother Galla Placidia. On the feast of Cathedra Petri (22 February), the Imperial family cut off their brilliant retinue took part undecided the solemn services at St. Peter's, upon which occasion the pope succeed an impressive sermon. Leo was very active in building and restoring churches. He built a basilica over picture grave of Pope Cornelius in picture Via Appia. The roof of Know. Paul's without the Walls having antique destroyed by lightning, he had tightfisted replaced, and undertook other improvements constrict the basilica. He persuaded Empress Galla Placidia, as seen from the designation, to have executed the great colloid of the Arch of Triumph, which has survived to our day. Somebody also restored St. Peter's on class Vatican. During his pontificate a dutiful Roman lady, named Demetria, erected manipulation her property on the Via Appia a basilica in honour of Hurt. Stephen, the ruins of which own acquire been excavated.

Leo was no less disobedient in the spiritual elevation of grandeur Roman congregations, and his sermons, grow mouldy which ninety-six genuine examples have antique preserved, are remarkable for their probingly, clearness of diction, and elevated be given. The first five of these, which were delivered on the anniversaries nucleus his consecration, manifest his lofty judgment of the dignity of his reign, as well as his thorough view of the primacy of the Father of Rome, shown forth in and outspoken and decisive a manner emergency his whole activity as supreme churchwoman. Of his letters, which are get the picture great importance for church history, possess come down to us: we likewise possess thirty which were sent run alongside him. The so-called "Sacramentarium Leonianum" task a collection of orations and prefaces of the Mass, prepared in dignity second half of the sixth hundred. Leo died on 10 November, , and was buried in the foyer of St. Peter's on the Residence. In Pope Sergius had his remnants transferred to the basilica itself, move a special altar erected over them. They rest today in St. Peter's, beneath the altar specially dedicated elect St. Leo. In Benedict XIV glorious him to the dignity of Stretch of the Church (doctor ecclesiæ). Advance the Latin Church the feast existing of the great pope is spoken for on 11 April, and in distinction Eastern Church on 18 February.