Maximus the Confessor
Legacy
Legacy
------

[thumb\|285px\|*Maximus the Confessor and His Miracles*. An early 17th\-century [Stroganov school](/wiki/Stroganov_school "Stroganov school") icon from [Solvychegodsk](/wiki/Solvychegodsk "Solvychegodsk").](/wiki/Image:Maksim_ispovednik.jpg "Maksim ispovednik.jpg")
Along with Pope Martin I, Maximus was vindicated by the [Third Council of Constantinople](/wiki/Third_Council_of_Constantinople "Third Council of Constantinople") (the Sixth [Ecumenical Council](/wiki/Ecumenical_Council "Ecumenical Council"), 680–681\), which declared that [Christ](/wiki/Christ "Christ") possessed both a human and a divine will. With this declaration Monothelitism became heresy, and Maximus was posthumously declared innocent.

Maximus is among those Christians who were venerated as [saints](/wiki/Saint "Saint") shortly after their deaths. The vindication of Maximus' theological position made him extremely popular within a generation after his death, and his cause was aided by the accounts of miracles at his tomb.For example, from the biography provided by the [Orthodox Church in America](http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100249): "Three candles appeared over the grave of St Maximus and burned miraculously. This was a sign that St Maximus was a beacon of Orthodoxy during his lifetime, and continues to shine forth as an example of virtue for all. Many healings occurred at his tomb."

Maximus is one of the last men to be recognized by both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches as a Father of the Church. In the encyclical *Spe Salvi* (2007\), Pope Benedict XVI called Maximus 'the great Greek doctor of the Church', although it is not clear if the Pontiff intended to nominate Maximus 'Doctor of the Church' or to say that he already was one.The Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints (Prot. Num. VAR. 7479/14\) considers the Pope's declaration in *Spe Salvi* an informal one.


What is Monothelitism and why was it considered heresy?