Byzantine Saints: Translation of the relics of Saint Maximus the Confessor (13 August)

About this sermon

Discover the remarkable life, suffering, theology, and legacy of Saint Maximus the Confessor, one of Christianity’s great defenders of orthodoxy. Born in Constantinople around 580, Maximus received an excellent education in philosophy, rhetoric, and theology. After serving at the imperial court, he abandoned worldly honors and embraced the monastic life. Saint Maximus became a fearless opponent of Monothelitism, the teaching that Christ possessed only one will. He defended the Orthodox teaching concerning Christ and strengthened bishops, clergy, officials, and ordinary Christians against the spread of heresy. His defense of the Faith brought terrible persecution. He was arrested, imprisoned, exiled, and tortured. His tongue was cut out and his right hand severed so that he could no longer preach or write. Yet his confession of Christ could not be silenced. Saint Maximus died after enduring great suffering. According to this account, three miraculous candles appeared above his grave, and healings occurred at his tomb. August 13 commemorates the translation of his relics from Lazica to Constantinople after the Sixth Ecumenical Council. Saint Maximus also left the Church a tremendous theological legacy, writing on Scripture, the Trinity, the Incarnation, the liturgy, love, the soul, and theosis—the deification of man by the grace of God. 🙏 Saint Maximus the Confessor, pray for us. 00:00 Translation of the Relics of St. Maximus 00:18 Saint Maximus the Confessor — August 13 00:24 Birth and Christian Education 00:32 Philosophy, Grammar and Theology 00:39 Service at the Imperial Court 00:54 The Monothelite Heresy Spreads 01:02 Maximus Becomes a Monk 01:11 Chosen to Lead the Monastery 01:18 The Ecthesis and the One-Will Controversy 01:34 Maximus Defends Orthodoxy 01:51 His Powerful Influence on Others 02:00 Leaving Constantinople for the West 02:07 Strengthening the Bishops of Africa 02:14 The Monophysite Heresy Explained 02:23 Monothelitism and the Will of Christ 02:49 A Threat to Church Unity 03:04 Monothelite Patriarchs in the East 03:13 Maximus Preaches and Defends the Faith 03:46 Saint Maximus Goes to Carthage 03:53 Debate With Pyrrhus 04:02 Pyrrhus Publicly Rejects His Error 04:10 Journey to Rome 04:24 Monothelitism Condemned 04:32 The Imperial Typos 04:48 The Church Council of 649 05:04 Monothelitism Condemned Again 05:20 Orders to Arrest Maximus 05:27 Accused of Treason and Imprisoned 05:36 Horrific Torture of Maximus and His Disciples 05:44 Tongues and Right Hands Cut Off 05:51 Exile and Final Sufferings 06:00 Three Miraculous Candles Over His Grave 06:09 Healings at the Tomb 06:17 Translation of the Relics — August 13 06:33 After the Sixth Ecumenical Council 06:47 The Theological Legacy of Saint Maximus 06:57 Commentaries on Sacred Scripture 07:20 The Mystagogy and Divine Services 07:28 Writings on the Trinity and Incarnation 07:36 Saint Maximus on Theosis 07:58 Becoming Godlike Through Grace 08:14 Writings on the Soul and Human Nature 08:23 Chapters on Love and Sacred Hymns 08:40 Legacy of Saint Maximus 08:58 Conclusion https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #SaintMaximus #MaximusTheConfessor #StMaximus #SaintMaximusTheConfessor #August13 #SaintOfTheDay #OrthodoxSaints #CatholicSaints #ChristianSaints #Orthodoxy #ChristianOrthodoxy #ChurchHistory #ChristianHistory #ByzantineSaints #ByzantineTheology #Monothelitism #Christology #TwoWillsOfChrist