Thread by @strivetobekind
Strive@strivetobekind
6 views
Nov 14, 2025
~2 min read
Advertisement
2
For those who don't know, both quotes refer to the contemporary Patriarch(s) of Constantinople and their adoption of the title "ecumenical" (synonymous with "universal"). It has nothing to do with papal supremacy.
Here's a longer version. The letter is cited below the name
Here's a longer version. The letter is cited below the name
3
Gregory didn't dispute supremacy either, claiming:
1) All bishops were subject to him on matters of discipline (IX:59)
2) Peter was committed the care of the whole Church by Christ (V:20)
3) Nothing of any force could be passed without the authority of the Apostolic See (IX:68)
1) All bishops were subject to him on matters of discipline (IX:59)
2) Peter was committed the care of the whole Church by Christ (V:20)
3) Nothing of any force could be passed without the authority of the Apostolic See (IX:68)
4
4) Constantinople was subject to Rome (IX:12)
5) The Pope could annul acts of synods even within Eastern Sees (IX:68)
There's no contradiction because Gregory expressed very specific reasons for opposing the title and none of them had anything to do with papal supremacy.
5) The Pope could annul acts of synods even within Eastern Sees (IX:68)
There's no contradiction because Gregory expressed very specific reasons for opposing the title and none of them had anything to do with papal supremacy.
5
These reasons include:
1) He interpreted the title as a statement of pride (IX:68)
2) He seemed to think it detracted from the dignity of other clergy (V:43)
1) He interpreted the title as a statement of pride (IX:68)
2) He seemed to think it detracted from the dignity of other clergy (V:43)
6
3) He thought the title set the Chuurch on the course of ruin, since *if* he who was named “universal bishop” could fail, the rest of the Church could (VII:27)
4) He seemed to interpret it as someone claiming to be the sole/only bishop or priest (IX:68).
4) He seemed to interpret it as someone claiming to be the sole/only bishop or priest (IX:68).
7
While the original meme doesn't explicitly say it, it implies that Gregory would have disagreed with papal supremacy or the universal pastorship of the Pope. In doing so, it misrepresents Pope Gregory.
8
I seem to recall seeing at least one instance where a Pope was called "universal" historically, but Gregory's interpretation of a title (a) was not directed towards the Pope/the West and (b) is not perpetually binding on his successors.
9
@JustinusRomanus That should be letter IX:68 as I recall but he talks about it elsewhere too.
10
@JustinusRomanus As for the title itself, the East had a very different understanding of the term. Even the infamous Dioscorus was called as such at Ephesus II.
As for the distinction between Pope and other bishops, other bishops still exist without being vicars for the sitting Pope.
As for the distinction between Pope and other bishops, other bishops still exist without being vicars for the sitting Pope.
11
@JustinusRomanus *person of his representatives