Born
in Italy, Silverius was son of Pope Hormisdas, who had been married
before becoming one of the higher clergy. He was only a subdeacon, when,
upon the death of Pope St. Agapetus in 536, the Ostrogoth King
Theodehad of Italy forced him on the Catholic Church. Soon afterwards,
Silverius was formally accepted as pope by the Roman clergy.
Silverius
soon incurred the wrath of the Empress Theodora. He refused to accept
and recognize the heretical Eutychian patriarchs – Anthimus of
Constantinople, Severus of Antioch, and Theodosius of Alexandria – who
had all been excommunicated and deposed from their episcopal sees by the
previous pope. Silverius is said to have remarked that by his signing
the letter of refusal to Theodora's imperial request, he was also
signing his own death warrant. And so it proved to be.
Theodora
had Silverius kidnapped and imprisoned on the island of Ponza, and the
empress nominated her supporter, Archdeacon Vigilius, for the papal
throne. Vigilius was named pope, but upon taking the position, he ceased
to support the Empress’ heresy and became a strong defender of
orthodoxy.
In 537, after a reign of just a year, Silverius died
of neglect during his imprisonment. He is now recognized as the patron
saint of the island of Ponza, where he died.
Sunday, June 20, 2021
St. Silverius
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