First attempt: Doctrine of one energy Monothelitism

the emperor heraclius defeating persian king. desire secure internal harmony within empire saw him adopt doctrine of monothelitism.

patriarch sergius of constantinople driving force behind doctrine, full blessing of emperor heraclius. coming imperial throne in 610, patriarch had long since converted emperor new doctrine, 622, heraclius had communicated bishop paul of armenia emperor asserted energy, or active force, of christ single. doctrine of monoenergism precursor of monotheletism.

heraclius interest @ time focused on armenia, , @ time emperor decided use monoenergism political weapon , reconcile non-chalcedonian church of armenia imperial church. bring about, synod held in 622 @ theodosiopolis, called synod of garin monoenergism discussed. on next few years heraclius preoccupied prosecution of war against sassanids, 626 had issued decree arcadius, bishop of cyprus, requesting teach doctrine of 1 hegumenic energy . accounts met notable success, particularly there large colony of armenians on island @ time, , encouraged heraclius attempt seek wider approval of compromise. in 626, asked patriarch sergius approach cyrus, bishop of phasis, secure cooperation.

with successful conclusion persian war, heraclius devote more time promoting compromise, more urgent due administration of recovered monophysite (also referred non-chalcedonian due rejection of particular council) provinces of syria , egypt. in 629, meeting took place between emperor , athanasius jacobite @ hierapolis. agreement struck whereby jacobites return imperial church on basis of single energy doctrine, , athanasius made patriarch of antioch. in 630, bishop cyrus made patriarch of alexandria, , won on non-chalcedonian group. 3 of 5 patriarchates – constantinople, antioch , alexandria – teaching christ’s 1 theandric energy .

not convinced, in particular monk of palestine named sophronius, believed there unsound in doctrine. because of this, became champion of dyothelitism – doctrine of 2 wills of christ. concerned sake of ecclesiastical unity, doctrinal expressions being compromised. first few years patriarch sergius of constantinople managed keep him silent, when sophronius appointed patriarch of jerusalem in 634, used newfound position of authority challenge validity of doctrine of monoenergism.

determined prevent formidable challenge christological compromise, sergius wrote pope honorius (625–638), @ rome, asking him endorse position church unity should not endangered having discussions or disputes on christ s possessing 1 energy or two. sergius added doctrine of 2 energies lead erroneous belief jesus has 2 conflicting wills. pope honorius reply in 635 endorsed view discussions should cease, , agreed jesus not have 2 conflicting wills, 1 will, since jesus did not assume vitiated human nature tainted adam s fall, human nature existed prior adam s fall. in meantime epistola synodica of sophronius appeared, outcome of synod of cyprus, , attempted show new doctrine inconsistent orthodoxy. declared nothing more bastardized form of monophysitism, , consequently went against hard fought achievements @ chalcedon. suddenly, support doctrine began subside , former supporters busy finding flaws , inconsistencies in proposal. soon, sergius , heraclius abandoned doctrine.