Maximus the Confessor (c.580–662) was a Byzantine Christian monk, theologian, and scholar, known for defending Chalcedonian Christology and shaping Eastern Orthodox theology. His writings influenced medieval and modern Christian thought.
Born in Constantinople, he served as a court secretary to Emperor Heraclius before becoming a monk in Chrysopolis. Fleeing to North Africa after the Persian invasion (626,) he opposed Monothelitism, the doctrine that Christ had only one will. His stance led to his trial, exile, torture, and death in Tsageri, Georgia.
Maximus authored over 90 works, including Opuscula theologica et polemica (7th century, Short Theological and Polemical Treatises,) Ambigua (7th century, Ambiguities,) Scholia (7th century, Commentary on Pseudo-Dionysius,) and Capita de caritate (7th century, Four Hundred Chapters on Charity,) exploring Trinitarian theology, asceticism, and divine-human communion. His works are examined in Pauline Allen and Bronwen Neil’s The Oxford Handbook of Maximus the Confessor (2015.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Maximus the Confessor
In all our actions, God considers the intention: whether we act for Him or for some other motive.
—Maximus the Confessor
Topics: Motivation
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