St. Agatho was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 678 to 681. He is remembered for his role in the Third Council of Constantinople, which was convened to resolve the Monothelite controversy. He is also remembered for his role in the defense of the Church against the iconoclastic heresy.
Agatho was born in Sicily, and was of Greek descent. He was a deacon in Rome before being elected pope in 678. He was known for his piety and humility, and was well-liked by the people of Rome. He was also known for his charity and generosity, and was known to give away his possessions to the poor.
Agatho was a strong defender of the faith, and was determined to protect the Church from heresy. He was a staunch opponent of the Monothelite heresy, which denied the dual nature of Christ. He convened the Third Council of Constantinople in 680 to resolve the controversy. At the council, Agatho presented a letter from Pope Honorius I, which declared that Christ had two natures, human and divine. This letter was accepted by the council, and the Monothelite heresy was condemned.
Agatho was also a strong defender of the Church against the iconoclastic heresy. This heresy denied the veneration of icons, and Agatho was determined to protect the Church from this heresy. He convened the Sixth Ecumenical Council in 787 to resolve the controversy. At the council, Agatho presented a letter from Pope Hadrian I, which declared that icons should be venerated. This letter was accepted by the council, and the iconoclastic heresy was condemned.
Agatho was also known for his charity and generosity. He was known to give away his possessions to the poor, and was known to be a generous benefactor of the Church. He was also known for his piety and humility, and was well-liked by the people of Rome.
Agatho died in 681, and was succeeded by Pope Leo II. He was canonized in the 8th century, and is remembered as a saint and defender of the faith. He is remembered for his role in the Third Council of Constantinople, which resolved the Monothelite controversy, and for his role in the defense of the Church against the iconoclastic heresy. He is also remembered for his charity and generosity, and for his piety and humility.