Theodoret's People by Schor Adam M.;

Author:Schor, Adam M.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of California Press

FIGURE 20. Theodoret's self-defense ensemble, 448–451, according to his letters. adc = archdeacon, amand = archimandrite, cos = consul, codm = count of the Domestici, colar = count of the sacred largesses, emp = emperor, magof = master of offices, patr = patrician, ppo = praetorian prefect of the East, pr-lg = priest-legate, puc = urban prefect of C-ple, schol = scholasticus.

It is not clear from extant letters how far Pope Leo supported Theodoret,141 But even before the death of Theodosius II, something was shifting behind the scenes. Leo made contact with the empresses Galla Placidia and Pulcheria by early 450.142 When Marcian secured the emperorship in August, Theodoret found that he had court allies. Anatolius's partiality was surely no secret. More surprising was the support of Aspar the patrician and Vincomalus the master of offices, since neither had been considered Theodoret's friend.143 In September 450, the new emperor started reversing sentences of exile. From Nicertae, Theodoret launched new appeals. To monks of the capital, he sent a public letter, detailing his Christology. To monastic allies, such as the Akoimetoi, he sent full doctrinal dossiers. He even responded to a group of soldiers with quotable arguments.144 Meanwhile, Theodoret approached colleagues who had abandoned him. He offered his forgiveness (whether or not it had been requested).145 He thanked the emperor and empress through several intermediaries.146 But he hoped not to rely only on imperial favor. His aim was to reestablish a network, which could affirm his restoration.

Theodoret did rebuild some support among clerics, monks, and courtiers. By this point, however, his claim to social leadership had been transformed. Theodoret had high-placed contacts, to whom he was now beholden. His social debts made it harder to make grand requests without seeming presumptuous. Theodoret had old clerical allies, from whom he was now separated. His presence reminded many bishops of their own uncomfortable decisions. Theodoret retained a base of clients. Some clerics, monks, and laypeople now treated him as an exemplar of resolute faith.147 Such veneration enhanced Theodoret's claim to holiness, but it also limited his social versatility. The more he played a confessor, the harder it was for him to tailor his performance of appeals. It is unclear how much Theodoret served as an advocate in the 450s, given the lack of extant letters. In any case, he faced new obstacles in performing grand appeals.

In the Eutychean controversy, we thus see an equally significant link between doctrinal conflict and patronage performance. Doctrinal foes attacked not just Theodoret's Christology, but also his career as a patron. They understood that his mediation of (non-doctrinal) favors was one key to his influence, doctrinal and otherwise. Theodoret defended all aspects of his career with a strategy of perseverance. He reached the right contacts, at a fortuitous moment, to save his episcopacy—except now he may have been typecast as the confessor, rather than the flexible mediator.

Ultimately, Theodoret's performances of patronage were inseparable from his performances of Antiochene leadership. His doctrinal influence rose or fell based on his ability to trade favors.

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