How St. Leo the Great Beat Arianism, Attila the Hun, and More

Описание: St. Leo the Great

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A church diplomat and prolific preacher before ascending to the papacy, St. Leo was elected Pope in AD 440 and reigned for twenty-one years.

Leo’s reign took place during a period marred by numerous heresies and turmoil. Among other things, the lingering effects of Arianism were still being felt.

It was up to Leo to straighten things out. They didn’t call him “Great” for nothing. For starters, he wrote a letter, now famously known as the “Tome of Leo.” It clarified that Jesus has two natures — one human, one divine — that acted in concert with one another in one Divine Person.

As great as the letter was, it fell on deaf ears. The heretics he was fighting had the support of the current emperor, and called a puppet council. Leo was not amused and called it a “Robber Synod.” And not only did the “Robber Synod” refuse to listen to Leo’s letter, they actually beat to death one of the faithful patriarchs who attended.

When a new emperor ascended to power, Leo was able to call a council that was universal and legitimate. He was intent upon unifying the Church and formally declaring true teaching regarding Christ’s nature. That council finally convened at Chalcedon in A.D. 451.

Leo’s letter was read aloud at Chalcedon. And recognizing his apostolic authority, the bishops exclaimed, “This is the faith of the fathers, this is the faith of the Apostles. So we all believe, thus the orthodox believe! Anathema to him who does not thus believe. Peter has spoken thus through Leo!”

St. Leo was great for a lot of reasons. Not only did bust up heresies, he showed he wouldn’t even back down from actual barbarians, either. When Attila the Hun threatened to sack Rome in AD 452, Leo went out to the gates of Rome to meet him face to face.
Three years later Leo confronted the Vandals in the same manner when they showed up on Rome’s doorstep. His bravery won him only moderate success this time.