Saint Agatho

Saint Agatho was born in Italy in 577 AD. He was a married layman, very successful as a businessman but left his worldly comforts to become a Benedictine monk. For many years, he was a treasurer of the church of Rome, and was well-versed in Latin and Greek. In 678, Agatho succeeded Pope Donus as the 79th Supreme Pontiff. Tradition holds that St. Agatho was older than 100 when he became Pope. 

He is remembered for reinstating St. Wilfred, archbishop of York, who had been uncanonically deposed. But the most important contribution by this holy servant of God is the Sixth Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 680. His papal legates presided over the Council, which led to the end of the Monothelite heresy (which denied the human nature of Christ's existence). The Council also reunited the Eastern Church in Constantinople with the Church in Rome. He also fought with Emperor Constantine IV to abolish the tax formerly paid upon the consecration of a new pope. 

Throughout his Papacy, Agatho was known for his sweet countenance, profound humility, and charity. He is often referred to as "Thaumaturgus" (Wonderworker) because of his many attributed miracles. He died on 10 January 681 AD and is venerated by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

Prayer

St. Agatho, you left your life of comforts to toil for the Lord; pray for us to dedicate our lives to the service of Christ.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.