Theodore I

About Theodore I

Theodore I was Pope from 642-649, a Greek from Jerusalem who vigorously opposed Monothelitism—the heresy that Christ had only one (divine) will rather than both divine and human wills. Emperor Constans II tried to silence the controversy through an edict (the Typos) forbidding discussion of the issue. Theodore courageously defied the emperor, condemning Monothelitism and excommunicating Patriarch Paul II of Constantinople. Theodore's stand for orthodox Christology, despite imperial pressure, helped preserve the doctrine that would be confirmed at the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681). He represents papal resistance to imperial interference in doctrine.