Vigilius
pope
d. 7 Jun 555
59th Bishop of Rome (Pope) · 31 Mar 537–7 Jun 555
Offices
- Bishop of Rome (Pope) № 59 · 31 Mar 537 – 7 Jun 555
Pope Vigilius was the bishop of Rome from 29 March 537 to his death on 7 June 555. He is considered the first pope of the Byzantine papacy. Born into Roman aristocracy, Vigilius served as a deacon and papal apocrisiarius in Constantinople. He allied with Empress Theodora, who sought his help to establish Monophysitism, and was made pope after the deposition of Silverius. After he refused to sign Emperor Justinian I's edict condemning the Three Chapters, Vigilius was arrested in 545 and taken to Constantinople. He died in Sicily while returning to Rome.
Related people
- John child of · traditional
- Reparatus sibling of · traditional
- Silverius succeeded · traditional
- Pelagius I preceded · traditional
Events
Places
How we know
Recorded as a historical figure.
- Liber Pontificalis 1 claim — Liber Pontificalis, the life of Vigilius
- The Seven Ecumenical Councils (NPNF series 2 vol. 14) 1 claim — Second Council of Constantinople