HENOTICON, fifth-century imperial edict that was one of the
basic statements of imperial theology and ecclesiastical policy
of the early Byzantine period. It is the name given to the
instrument of union addressed by Emperor ZENO to the "bishops,
clergy, monks and laity throughout Alexandria and Egypt and
Libya and Pentapolis" in 482. Its immediate aim was the
reconciliation of the sees of Constantinople and Alexandria,
which had been in a state of hostility since the murder of the
Chalcedonian patriarch, Proterius, on Maundy Thursday 457. The
timing of the edict was the result of the decision by the
emperor and ACACIUS, patriarch of Constantinople, in the spring
of 482, to recognize the anti-Chalcedonian (see CHALCEDON,
COUNCIL OF) patriarch of Alexandria, PETER III MONGUS, as true
patriarch. Zeno withdrew recognition from Peter's rival, John
Talaia, who fled to Italy in June 482. In the background,
however, was the strength of anti-Chalcedonian sentiment in
Antioch and Jerusalem as well as Alexandria, which