Symmachus (Pope)

Symmachus Papa

pope|450-514 AD|Rome
Symmachus was bishop of Rome (pope) from 498 to 514, during the reign of the Ostrogothic king Theoderic the Great over Italy. His pontificate was consumed by the Laurentian Schism, a bitter and sometimes violent disputed election against the antipope Laurentius that split the Roman clergy and senate for years and required Theoderic's arbitration; a series of synods (the so-called Symmachan synods of 501-502) ultimately affirmed that a pope could not be judged by any earthly tribunal, a principle of lasting importance for the medieval papacy. A native of Sardinia and a convert from paganism, he also continued the long-running theological estrangement with Constantinople known as the Acacian Schism. His surviving letters concern church governance, the schism, and relations with the bishops of Gaul and the East.
21
Letters sent
2
Letters received
23
Total letters
7
Correspondents

Top correspondents

All letters (23)

To Aeoniusc. 498 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to the most beloved brother Aeonius, archbishop of Arles.

pope symmachus #1
To Aeoniusc. 499 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to our brother Aeonius.

pope symmachus #2
To Avitusc. 499 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to the most holy brother Avitus.

pope symmachus #3
To Symmachusc. 502 AD

Ennodius, bishop, to the most holy Pope Symmachus.

pope symmachus #6
To Symmachusc. 502 AD

To the most holy and apostolic Bishop Symmachus, John the deacon presents his petition.

pope symmachus #7
To Symmachusc. 503 AD

On the extinction of the schism that so darkened the recent years, I cannot express my relief adequately in prose,...

pope symmachus #8
To Emperor Anastasius of Constantinoplec. 504 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to the most pious Emperor Anastasius.

pope symmachus #9
To The bishops of Gaulc. 505 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to the beloved bishops of the Gallic churches.

pope symmachus #11
To Caesariusc. 506 AD

Symmachus, bishop, to our most beloved brother Caesarius, bishop of Arles.

pope symmachus #12
To Symmachusc. 507 AD

Sigismund, king, to the most holy Pope Symmachus.

pope symmachus #13
From Ennodius of Paviac. 507 AD

Ennodius, bishop, to the most holy Pope Symmachus.

pope symmachus #14
To Symmachusc. 508 AD

I write to report and to commend myself to your pastoral care, as I try to do regularly when the press of other...

pope symmachus #15
To Symmachusc. 509 AD

I want to report on the mission you entrusted to me, which I have now completed and which had, I think, a reasonable...

pope symmachus #16
To Symmachusc. 510 AD

The generosity that distinguishes your pontificate has been felt throughout the church, and I want to acknowledge it...

pope symmachus #17
To Symmachusc. 510 AD

There are several young men from good families who are currently in Rome pursuing the studies that the city still...

pope symmachus #18
To Symmachusc. 511 AD

I write to recall to your memory certain of my connections, and to commend to your paternal care a young man of...

pope symmachus #19
To Symmachusc. 512 AD

A young man of good birth and genuine promise is going to Rome to study, and I cannot let him go without a letter to...

pope symmachus #20
To Symmachusc. 513 AD

The young man I am commending this time is the sublimest of adolescents, and I say this not as empty praise — you...

pope symmachus #21
From Ennodius of Paviac. 513 AD

One does not petition ineffectively who commends strangers to the father of all.

pope symmachus #22