A doctrine that recognized one will (Gr. thelesis) and two natures in Christ.
Monotheletism originated as an attempt to secure church unity at a time when the existence of the Byzantine Empire was being threatened by Persian invasions. It was meant to reconcile the Chalcedonian beliefs of the Byzantine imperial church, which recognized two natures in Christ, with those of the monophysite churches, which held to a single nature. An edict of Emperor Heraclius (635) spoke of one will in Christ, in accordance with the teaching of Pope Honorius I. Monotheletism found few adherents, and was opposed by the theologian Maximos the Confessor and Pope Martin I. The doctrine was condemned at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople (680-681). However, it was accepted by the Maronites of Syria, who held to monothelete beliefs until their union with the Roman Church at the end of the twelfth century.