November 16, 2009
The Lord be with you
This past Saturday (November 14) the Church Calendar has set aside for the Commemoration of Emperor Justinian, Christian Ruler and Confessor of Christ. I missed posting something about it, so I thought I’d put something up now. As my mother used to say, “Better late than
never.”
Justinian was emperor of the Easter Roman Empire from 527 to 565 AD, when the empire was in decline. With his beautiful and capable wife, Theodora, he restored splendor and majesty to the Byzantine court. During his reign, the empire experienced a renaissance, due in large part to his ambition, intelligence, and strong religious convictions, Justinian also attempted to bring unity to a divided Church. He was a champion of orthodox Christianity and sought agreement among the parties in the Christological controversies of the day as the groups disputed the relation between the divine and human natures in the person of Christ. The Fifth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in 533 AD was held during his reign and addressed this dispute. Justinian died in his eighties without having accomplished his desire to forge an empire that was firmly Christian and orthodox.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
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