Elipandus

Elipandus archbishop of Toledo in the 8th century. He shared the opinions of Felix, bishop of Urgel, with regard to the person of Christ, viz. that, with respect to his human nature, he was only the adoptive Son of God, thus giving rise to the sect of Adoptianists. Elipandus disseminated his views in Spain, France, and Germany. Adosinde, queen of Gallicia, induced bishop Etherius of Osma and the priest Beatus to write against him. They published against him two books, the originals of which are said to be still extant in Toledo. Elipandus replied by several letters, but he was condemned at the council which Paulinus, patriarch of Aquileja, convened at Ciudad de Friuli in 791. In the following year the doctrines of Elipandus and Felix were again condemned at a synod which Charlemagne held at Ratisbon. Pope Adrian confirmed the sentence, to which Felix submitted; but Elipandus, and several other bishops of Spain, persisted in their views, and wrote against Felix. This letter was refuted, and condemned by Adrian in a council held in Italy, and in the Council of Frankfort in 794. Charlemagne himself wrote a letter (still extant) to Elipandus urging him to submit; but the letter seems to have had little effect, for shortly before his death (in 799) Elipandus wrote a reply maintaining his views. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Gener. 15:832; Neander, Ch. Hist. 3:156-158; Mosheim, Ch. Hist. book 3, c. 8, part 2, chapter 5, § 3. SEE ADOPTIANISM.