Saint Maximus

Saint Maximus c.580-662, Greek theologian. He was secretary to Emperor Heraclius and subsequently abbot at the monastery of Chrysopolis. To curb Monotheletism he went to Rome and persuaded Pope St. Martin I to convene the synod of 649, which denounced as heretical the Typus of Emperor Constans. Back at Constantinople, Maximus demanded that the decrees of the synod be accepted. He was imprisoned (653-62) by imperial order, mutilated, then exiled. He is important in the history of Byzantine mysticism. St. Maximus leaned much upon the Pseudo-Dionysius (see Dionysius the Areopagite, Saint ). St. Maximus' works influenced Erigena, who translated them into Latin. Feast: Aug. 13.

Maximus the Confessor (c.580–662). Greek theologian, mystic, and ascetical writer. After a distinguished secular career, he became a monk c.612 in Chrysopolis, fleeing to Africa before the Persian advance in 626. A strong opponent of monothelitism, he secured its condemnation in Africa and Rome (649). In 653 and again in 661 he was brought to Constantinople, where he refused to submit to monothelitism, was condemned as a heretic, mutilated, and died shortly afterwards in exile.

Maximus the Confessor, St (c.580–662), Greek theologian and ascetical writer. He was Imperial Secretary under the Emp. Heraclius. Having become a monk c.614, he fled to Africa during the Persian invasion (626). From c.640 he was a determined opponent of Monothelitism, and he had a share in its condemnation at the Lateran Council of 649. He was taken to Constantinople in 653 and, refusing adherence to the ‘Typos’ of Constans II, he was banished to Thrace.

Maximus wrote on doctrinal, ascetical, exegetical and liturgical subjects. He held that the purpose of history was the Incarnation of the Son of God and the deification of man, which consisted in the restoration of the image of God. Man, created in an incorruptible nature devoid of passion, caused evil to come into the world by his desire for pleasure, which destroyed the dominion of reason over the senses; hence Christ had to redeem the race by pain to restore the equilibrium. Through the Incarnate Word man is not only freed from ignorance but given the power to practise virtue. The goal of human life, obtained through abnegation, is union with God by charity. Feast day in the W., 13 Aug.; in the E., 21 Jan. (also 13 Aug.).