Saint Maxim was born in Constantinople
of noble parents and received an excellent education. He was one of Emperor
Heraclius’s (610-641) advisers. Witnessing the spread of the Monophysite heresy
(they rejected the human will in Jesus Christ, which diminished the importance
of His suffering on the cross) which the emperor himself embraced, he left the
royal court and entered the Chrysopolis monastery, where he accepted a monastic
tonsure. He subsequently became the monastery’s father superior.
A deep-thinking theologian of that time and a
strict defender of Orthodoxy, Maxim very skillfully and successfully proved the
incorrectness of the Monophysite heresy [Monophysites wrongly maintained that the human nature of Jesus
Christ was absorbed by His Divine nature] this
is said in the first paragraph. For this, the enemies of the Church subjected
him to persecution on many occasions. Blessed Maxim’s arguments in favor of
Orthodoxy were so convincing that after a public debate with the Monophysite
patriarch Pyrrhos of Constantinople, the latter renounced his previously held
heresy.
On a number of occasions, Blessed Maxim was sent
into exile, only to be recalled to Constantinople. From admonitions to promises, the heretics often turned
to threats, abuses and even physical assaults on Blessed Maxim. However, he
remained resolute in his religious beliefs. Eventually, they cut off his right
hand and his tongue so that he would be unable to defend the Truth either by
the spoken or written word. Following this, they exiled him to a prison in Caucasus, in
Lazov (province of Mingreli?). Here, on the 13th of August, 662 Blessed Maxim reposed, knowing beforehand the day of his
death.
Blessed Maxim wrote many theologian works in
defense of Orthodoxy. Especially precious to us are his instructions on a
spiritual and contemplative life, which were included in the
"Philokalia" in the form of 400 instructions on Christian love. Also
known are his 700 chapters on the Holy Trinity and on the incarnation of
God-Word, on virtues and passions and discourse on the Lord’s Prayer.
Directives on asceticism reveal spiritually deep and penetrating thoughts of
Blessed Maxim.
He is remembered on the 3rd of February
by the new calendar.
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