St. Martin I suffered much persecution in his defense of the Catholic Faith against the Monothelite emperors of Constantinople. He was exiled and died in 655 from the evil treatment to which he was exposed.
Monothelitism is the heresy that arose in an attempt to reach a compromise solution between the Catholic doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, defined by the Council of Chalcedon in 451, and the heretical doctrine of Monophysitism, which was itself an over-reaction against the Nestorian heresy. Chronologically, then, Nestorius (428 Patriarch of Constantinople) taught that in Christ there are two persons, or subjects of action, corresponding to two natures. Reacting against this, some (e.g. Eutyches, Archmandrite of Constantinople) went to the other extreme, asserting that in Christ there is only one person and only one nature (the Divine), hence the name "Monophysitism". A misguided attempt was then made by Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople (610-638) to make a doctrinal compromise with the Monophysites according to which Christ would be said to have two natures, but only one will (the divine will), hence, "Monothelitism". This last heresy was rejected by the Church at the Lateran Synod in 649 under Pope St. Martin I (today's saint) and again at the General Council of Constantinople in 680-681. Anyone who has ever read the Gospel narratives of Christ's Agony in the Garden can see plainly how erroneous was the opinion that Christ had no human will!
In other news, Maria is a little bit sick. She had a runny nose today as well as a rather pathetic demeanor. Furthermore, it helps not at all that the heat has inexplicably been turned off again. Grrr.
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4 comments:
Give poor little Maria a big hug and kiss from Nana, and feed her some chicken soup!
almost forgot...Papa told me you called. I'm looking forward to hearing your voice when you call back...happy soon-to-be birthday! Does Lisa know that you always get your presents on the evening of the 14th? 1-2-3
St. Martin? How come my copy of the liturgy of the hours says St. Josephat?
Too bad about Maria's "pathetic demeanor," but I actually found the description somewhat comical.
I hope she feels better.
Will,
She is feeling better, thank you. I don't know about the Liturgy of the Hours'; the calendar we follow has St. Josaphat on 14 Nov.
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