Silverius, Saint

Silverius, Saint (sĭlvēr`ēəs), d. 537, pope (536–37), an Italian; successor of St. Agapetus I. The son of Pope Hormisdas, who had been married before taking orders, St. Silverius was elected pope at the instance of the Ostrogothic king, Theodahad, although Vigilius, as Agapetus' deacon, was the logical candidate. Failing to win Silverius over to Monophysitism, Empress Theodora intrigued to make Vigilius pope. On a trumped-up charge of treason, Pope Silverius was sent into exile; Vigilius was declared pope, and Silverius died shortly afterward. He is believed to have been murdered. Feast: June 20.