Maximos the Confessor

St. Maximos the Confessor was born in Constantinople in 580 CE, the son of a noble Byzantine family. He majored in philosophy and theology in school and, in 610, became confidential secretary to Emperor Herakleios until the Emperor’s death in 630. He then entered the monastery at Chrysopolis and, eventually, became the abbot.
He traveled through Africa and finally ended up in Rome. He convinced Pope Martin I to call the First Lateran Council in 649 where Monotheletism (Belief that Christ had two natures but one will) was condemned. Because the Council decision ran counter to the imperial policy, he was first jailed and then exiled. His tongue was then cut out.