HERESY OF MONOTHELITISM

        This heresy came out of an effort to unite opposing factions in the Orient and to settle the rift between East and Western Church. . .similar to the ecumenical movement today.   

        And, like all ecumenical attempts, it brought forth a series of documents which left the situation more confused than before.  During the controversy, the other side had the Pope arrested where he died in exile.  Then a schism between East and West followed.

        The Paulician heresy believed that Christ was an angel and not a man.  They did not believe in monastic life, the sacraments and the episcopacy.  They regarded themselves as Evangelical Christians and they preferred to be called Christians and not Catholics.

(08-17-10)