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Maximus the Confessor

Type Figure Region Byzantine Empire Time c. 580–662 Also known as St. Maximus

Byzantine theologian and monk (c. 580–662) who defended orthodox Christology against Monothelitism, suffered repeated exile, and died after having hi…

Timeline

  1. c. 580–614Constantinople · ConstantinopleOf noble birth with a good classical education, served as secretary to Emperor Heraclius's court, took part in theological debates and encountered the Monothelite question, laying the groundwork for his later theological stance.
  2. c. 614–640Chrysopolis · BithyniaLeft his court post for a monastery, successively lived at Chrysopolis, Chalcedon, and Cyprus, wrote numerous theological works systematically expounding the doctrine of two wills and two natures in Christ, becoming the intellectual core of opposition to Monothelitism.
  3. c. 640–662Tomis · ScythiaFor refusing to sign the Monothelite compromise documents of the Constantinopolitan see, was successively exiled to Thrace, the Caucasus, and Tomis. Tried in 653, he had his tongue and right hand cut off to stop his writing and preaching, and died in exile; later honored by the church as a Church Father and Confessor.

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