Golden Age
The Tome of Leo & Sermons
Leo the Great · c. 449 – 461
Historical Context
Pope Leo I, whose Tome (Ep. 28 to Flavian of Constantinople) was received at Chalcedon (451) with the acclamation, 'Peter has spoken through Leo.'
Summary
The Tome articulates the two natures of Christ united in one person, each acting according to what is proper to it, and became the touchstone of Chalcedonian orthodoxy in the Latin West. Leo's sermons on the Nativity, Passion, and feast days give a magisterial synthesis of the mystery of the Incarnation.
Major Themes
- Two natures, one person
- Papal magisterium
- Chalcedonian Christology
- Liturgical preaching
Important Quotations
“Each nature retains its own proper character without defect… while the majesty took on humility.”— Tome of Leo 4
Related Timeline Events
Primary Sources
Further Reading
- Bernard Green, The Soteriology of Leo the Great