Pope Agapetus I
Pope Agapetus I (489/490 – 22 April 536) was the bishop of Rome from 13 May 535 to his death. His father, Gordianus, was a priest in Rome and he may have been related to two popes, Felix III and Gregory I.
Agapetus I | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 13 May 535 |
| Papacy ended | 22 April 536 |
| Predecessor | John II |
| Successor | Silverius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 489–490 Rome, Ostrogothic Kingdom |
| Died | 22 April 536 (aged 46) Constantinople, Eastern Roman Empire |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 20 September (West) 17 April (East) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Other popes named Agapetus | |
In 536, Agapetus traveled to Constantinople at the behest of King Theodahad of the Ostrogoths and unsuccessfully tried to persuade Emperor Justinian I to call off a Byzantine invasion of the Ostrogoth kingdom. While in Constantinople, Agapetus also deposed the patriarch Anthimus I and personally consecrated his successor who is Menas of Constantinople. Four of Agapetus’ letters from this period have survived: two addressed to Justinian, one to the bishops of Africa, and one to the Bishop of Carthage.
Agapetus was canonized in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions; his feast day is 20 September in the former and 22 April in the latter.