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The Cadaver Synod: Putting a Dead Pope on Trial
In January 897 AD, Pope Stephen VI ordered his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to stand trial for perjury and illegal ambition. The only problem? Formosus had been dead for seven months.
In this episode, we unpack the "Synodus Horrenda," the most gruesome ecclesiastical trial in history. We cover:
The Setup: Why the church dug up a rotting corpse, dressed him in full papal vestments, and propped him up on a throne.
The Trial: A deacon was assigned to speak for the dead Pope (who remained silent for obvious reasons) while Stephen VI screamed at the body.
In the studio: Travis walks Tom through the…
The skinny
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