Venancij Fortunat and the Three Chapter Schism

Abstract

Even though the basis for the research of Venancij Fortunat’s relation to the Three Chapter schism is rather modest (only several verses in his poetic opus), it does reveal the poet’s religious and political preferences in this dispute. In a respectful, benevolent manner the poet depicts Aquillea’s patriarch Pavlin, leader of the schismatic church in Aquilleia. In his thanksgiving poem honoring Justinian II and Sophie, Fortunat expresses his enthusiasm over the new emperor who had, upon starting his office, abolished the decrees of his predecessor against schismatic bishops. The poet was obviously a moderate adherent of the schism. He has expressed his opinion in an indirect, noncontroversial manner, by prasing those who were important for the existence of the schismatic church, and by avoiding to mention those representing a threat to its existence.