Antipope Heraclius

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Heraclius was a Roman who, in 310, opposed the election of Pope Eusebius, earning him the title of antipope. All that is known of Heraclius appears in an epitaph written by Pope Damasus I for Eusebius. It is believed that Heraclius headed a faction demanding immediate reconciliation for the lapsi[1] (those who had lapsed in their faith during persecution) in opposition to Eusebius' stance requiring strict penance, although it is possible that he and his faction were Novatianists and instead opposed readmittance to the church for lapsi.[citation needed] Heraclius was elected pope by his faction in opposition to Eusebius in 310.[2] Public disturbances caused by partisans of the two rivals reached such a state (characterized by Damasus I as sedition, discord, and even warfare) that Emperor Maxentius exiled both parties to Sicily[3] where Eusebius died, and where nothing more was heard of Heraclius.

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  1. ^ Butler, Alban. "St. Eusebius, Pope and Confessor", Lives of the Saints, 1866. Accessed 7 May 2019
  2. ^ Graves, Dan. "Pope Eusebius Began Short Reign" Christianity.com. Accessed 7 May 2019
  3. ^ Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Pope St. Eusebius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. Accessed 7 May 2019
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