SPEAR Factoids about Anthimus — ܐܢܬܝܡܣ

Anthimus was a sixth-century Miaphysite Patriarch of Constantinople who is commemorated by John of Ephesus in the Lives of the Eastern Saints. 1

“Anthimus was bishop of Trebizond in north-eastern Asia Minor when Justinian chose him as new patriarch of Constantinople. Probably on imperial orders, Anthimus approached the leading miaphysites of his day, Severus of Antioch and Theodosius of Alexandria. Because of this, opponents started claiming that he had condemned Chalcedon and entered into communion with Severus. Resistance to him grew in Constantinople and his position became untenable when the staunchly Chalcedonian Roman bishop Agapetus visited the capital in March 536. He stepped down as bishop and, together with many other miaphysites, enjoyed the protection of the empress Theodora until her death in 548.” 6

Syriaca.org URI: http://syriaca.org/person/1592

Personal Information

Sanctity:

Anthimus was a saint. See factoid page

Occupation(s):

Anthimus was bishop of Trebizond. See factoid page

Anthimus was bishop of Constantinople. See factoid page

Anthimus was a monk before becoming bishop. See factoid page

Relationships

John of Ephesus commemorated Anthimus See factoid page

Events

Anthimus chose to exile himself from Constantinople when he learned that Severus and Theodosius had been exiled because of their opposition to the Council of Chalcedon. See factoid page

Anthimus sent letters to Severus and Theodosius who sent synodical letters to him as well. They agreed to a union in opposition to the Council of Chalcedon. See factoid page

Following the self-exile of Anthimus, Theodora hid him in one of her palaces. Only she and Anonymous 3768 and Anonymous 3769 knew about this. He remained in hiding for ten years, ending with the death of Theodora. See factoid page

How to cite:

“Person Page for Anthimus — ܐܢܬܝܡܣ ,” in SPEAR: Syriac Persons Events and Relations, general editor Daniel L. Schwartz, https://dev.spear-prosop.org/aggregate/person/1592.html, 2025-07-01.