Antipope

Theodore
Papacy began21 September 687
Papacy ended15 December 687
PredecessorRoman claimant:
Pope Conon
Antipapal claimant:
Dioscorus
SuccessorRoman claimant:
Sergius I
Antipapal claimant:
Constantine II
Opposed toRival claimant:
Paschal
Other post(s)Archpriest of the Roman Catholic Church
Personal details
OccupationArchpriest

Theodore was a rival with Paschal for the papacy following the death of Pope Conon (21 September 687), and thus is considered an antipope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Biography

Prior to the disputed election, Theodore was an archpriest. According to the Liber Pontificalis partisans of Theodore and Paschal seized different parts of the Lateran, and as each were unwilling to give way to the other they were locked in combat for control of the entire basilica. Meanwhile, representatives of the garrison, the majority of the clergy and the citizens met in the imperial palace and eventually elected Sergius, a priest of the church of Santa Susanna as Conon's successor. Having thus decided on Sergius, they brought him to the Lateran and forced their way in. Theodore immediately conceded the office, and abased himself to Sergius.[1]

Paschal remained unconvinced, and while pretending to accept Sergius, sent messengers to the exarch of Ravenna John Platyn promising gold in exchange for military support. The exarch arrived, demanded the gold, and looted Old St. Peter's Basilica, but departed after Sergius I's consecration (15 December 687).[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Book of Pontiffs (Liber Pontificalis). Translated by Davis, Raymond (first ed.). Liverpool: University Press. 1989. p. 83. ISBN 9780853232162.
  2. ^ Ekonomou, Andrew J. (2007). Byzantine Rome and the Greek Popes: Eastern influences on Rome and the papacy from Gregory the Great to Zacharias, A.D. 590–752. New York: Lexington Books. p. 216. ISBN 978-0-7391-1977-8.
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