Silverius, St

Silverius, St., and pope in 536-37. He was a son of pope Hormisdas, who had been married before he became a priest, and prior to his elevation to the papacy was a subdeacon. That elevation was caused by Theodatus, the Gothic king, who was involved in disputes with Justinian, and would not consent that a candidate who favored the emperor should be confirmed. It is said, however, that Silverius added bribes to the other motives which influenced the king. The imperial general Belisarius soon afterwards degraded the new pope on the charge of treason, and sent him to Patara, in Lycia.:Vigilius became his successor. Silverius succeeded in returning to Italy, but was delivered up to Vigilius by Belisarius, and sent to the island of Palmaria, where he soon afterwards died. He was canonized by the Romish Church, and is commemorated June 20.