St. Agapetus I was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 535 to 536. He is remembered for his strong defense of the faith and his efforts to bring unity to the Church.
Agapetus was born in Rome in the late 5th century. He was the son of Gordianus, a Roman senator, and was educated in the liberal arts. He was ordained a deacon in 519 and was appointed papal legate to Constantinople in 535.
Agapetus was elected pope in 535, succeeding Pope John II. He was the first pope to be elected by the Roman clergy and people, rather than by the emperor. He was also the first pope to be consecrated in the Lateran Basilica.
Agapetus was a strong defender of the faith and a staunch opponent of heresy. He was particularly opposed to the teachings of the Monophysites, who believed that Jesus had only one nature, rather than two. He wrote several letters to the emperor Justinian, urging him to reject the Monophysite heresy and to uphold the teachings of the Church.
Agapetus also worked to bring unity to the Church. He convened a synod in Rome in 536, which condemned the teachings of the Monophysites and reaffirmed the teachings of the Church. He also worked to reconcile the Eastern and Western Churches, which had been divided since the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
Agapetus was also known for his charity and generosity. He was known to give alms to the poor and to support the monasteries. He also provided financial assistance to the Church in Constantinople.
Agapetus died in 536, after a brief reign of only one year. He was succeeded by Pope Silverius.
Agapetus was a strong defender of the faith and a champion of unity in the Church. He was a man of great charity and generosity, and his efforts to bring unity to the Church were instrumental in the reconciliation of the Eastern and Western Churches. He is remembered as a saint and is venerated in the Catholic Church.