Pope Saint Silverius, Victim Of Politics

Silverius is one of the few popes related to another pope. He was the son of Pope Hormisdas, who was married for a time before entering Holy Orders. We do not know the dates of birth or death of this poor, but sainted, man.

To give you a background review: Pope Agapetus, who was pope less than a year, died at Constantinople 22 April, 536. Justinian was the emperor, living at Constantinople and supporting orthodoxy. Theodatus was the Ostrogothic king of Italy, supposedly subject to Justinian. Justinian was married to Theodosia, who supported monophysites, which, by then, was more of a political than a religious concept. And Silverius was a minor subdeacon in Rome. The era was typical of what has been written about the Dark Ages. It was disorderly and unsettled, a time of many victims and few heroes.

Theodosia decided to affect the election of the Roman deacon, VBirgilius, who just happened to be at Constantinople, and had promised her that, as pope, he would guarantee support of the monophysite stance. This would make Vigilius one of Theodosia's favorites.

The king of the Ostrogoths, Theodatus, did not want a pope who was beholding to Constantinople. He stalled the empress' actions. Then, he influenced the election to the papal throne and got Silverius elected. Certainly, there was strong opposition amongst the clergy to the election of a subdeacon being elected. It is said that Theodatus had looked at all the higher clergy members and could find no one who would support the Ostrogoths until he came to Silverius. The king suppressed the opposition and had Sliverius consecrated a bishop (probably June 8, 536), at which time the Roman presbyters gave their consent in writing.

Theodora was determined not to lose. She planned on winning Silverius to her side and getting him to accept the Monophysite Patriarch of Constantinople, Anthimus, who had been excommunicated by Agapetus the year before. Silverius chose to not commit himself. This made Theodora plan to overthrow him and put Virgilius on the throne.

In August of 536, King Theodatus has killed and Witiges, his murderer, ascended the throne. The capital of Italy having been moved to Ravenna some time before, Witiges and his army attacked and destroyed much of Rome. Many churches and cemetaries were ruined. But, within months, Belisaurus, the Emperor's general, had garrisoned Rome. Silverius welcomed him.

Theodora, still working her plan, influenced Belisaurus through his wife. A forged letter appeared, accusing Silverius of treason by permitting the sack of Rome. In March of 537, Silverius was arrested, stripped of his episcopacy, dressed as a monk and taken away to Lycia. Vigilius was consecrated bishop of Rome.

Sliverius was settled in the town of Patara. The bishop there did some investigating and found the man innocent. He took his findings to Emperor Justinian. The emperor wrote to his general in Italy and asked for further investigation. Unfortunately, the emperor also allowed Silverius to go back to Italy immediately.

Virgilius heard about the return of Silverius. He plotted with Theodora and Antonia, the wife of Belisaurus. When Silverius arrived at the port of Naples, he was kidnapped and taken to a small island some miles off shore and was put under close guard. He did not last very long and died. His remains are still there.

St. Silverius had died for the Faith, upholding orthodoxy.

St. Silverius, pray for us.