Pope Zosimus and the Condemnation of Pelagianism

The Appeal to Pope Innocent I

Around the year A.D. 410 Pelagius and Celestius arrived in Africa. Celestius, who stayed in Africa and sought to be ordained to the priesthood, was found to hold heretical views and was excommunicated by a synod in Carthage in A.D. 411. Pelagius, who had ventured to Palestine, was challenged by Orosius, a student of St. Augustine, but found it difficult to debate him. Jerome had also made an attempt in late A.D. 414 with his Dialogue against the Pelagians. Within a few months, in A.D. 415, a synod of Diospolis in Palestine had unfortunately deemed Pelagian teaching orthodox, though the doctrine of grace may not have been clearly presented to the synod. Orosius returns to Augustine with the news.

In response, Augustine, in A.D. 416, convenes two councils among the African bishops, one in Carthage, another in Mileve. Once the bishops came to condemn Pelagius an appeal was made to Innocent I to confirm the council’s decision. Concerning this appeal, Augustine writes in his epistle 177: “we wish it to be approved by you whether our stream, though small, flows from the same head water as your abundant river…”.

In his epistle 181, Augustine preserves for us the response from Innocent I: “For you decided that it was proper to refer to our judgment, knowing what is due to the Apostolic See…” in doing so “you… have preserved the customs of the Fathers… they decreed by a divine… sentence, that whatsoever is done, even though it be in distant provinces, should not be ended without being brought to the knowledge of this See…and that from it all other churches… should receive what they ought to enjoin.”

In a famous sermon by Augustine in the year A.D. 417, in receiving the pronounced condemnation against Pelagius and Celestius by Innocent I, he states “causa finite est” (The case is concluded.) Unfortunately, two months later, Innocent I died.

The Deception of Celestius

Pope Innocent I was succeeded by Pope Zosimus, holding only a short reign of less than 2 years (A.D. 417 – A.D. 418). Within a few weeks of his consecration, a letter, addressed to Innocent I, was sent to Rome by Pelagius. Along with this letter, Celestius personally appeared in Rome and through his writings and oral explanations was able to prove to Zosimus of his sincerity to renounce any teaching if he was found in error. In his presentation of doctrine, Celestius focused on points of his teaching which were not in question and portrayed the debatable aspects as inconsequential. Zosimus sent word to the African bishops requesting information concerning their actions against Celestius.

The propositions compiled by Paulinus of Milan, also the acts of the council, by which Celestius was excommunicated in A.D. 411, were sent to Rome. During the reevaluation, Celestius did not reject the propositions but cunningly described his theology as compatible with the teaching of Innocent I on the subject and made an ‘acceptable’ confession of faith. Zosimus received the impression that Celestius may not have been guilty of the errors that was once thought about him. Immediately, Zosimus sent a letter to Aurelius of Carthage and other bishops in Africa to have accusers appear in Rome within two months to discuss the issue further. Immediately, a letter was sent to Rome requesting a delay in order that they may give a fuller account.

In the meantime, Pelagius had sent additional writings to Rome, which were read in council and deemed appropriate. Again, Pope Zosimus writes to the African bishops, in 417, reprimanding them further for their hasty reactions against Celestius. Aurelius quickly calls for a council. The acts of the council, its canons, the propositions compiled by Paulinus, along with letters insinuating that the pope had allowed himself to be deceived by Celestius and Pelagius. However, the Pope makes it clear that he had never acquitted them, and never accepted the errors about which he questioned Celetius, and had not made a final decision, only tentative though rather hasty assessments.