Pope Anastasius I

Pope Anastasius I was the bishop of Rome from 27 November 399 to his death on 19 December 401.[1]

Pope Saint Anastasius I
Papacy began	27 November 399
Papacy ended	19 December 401
Predecessor	Siricius
Successor	Innocent I
Personal details
Died	19 December 401 Rome
Sainthood
Feast day	19 December
Other popes named Anastasius

Anastasius was born in Rome, and was the son of Maximus. He succeeded Siricius as pope and condemned the writings of the Alexandrian theologian Origen shortly after their translation into Latin. He fought against these writings throughout his papacy, and in 400 he called a council to discuss them. The council agreed that Origen was not faithful to the Catholic Church.[2]

If Origen has put forth any other writings, you are to know that they and their author are alike condemned by me. The Lord have you in safe keeping, my lord and brother deservedly held in honour.

— letter to Simplicianus, [3]

During his reign he also encouraged Catholics in North Africa to fight Donatism.[2] He instructed priests to stand and bow their head as they read from the gospels.[1] Among his friends were Augustine, Jerome, and Paulinus. Jerome speaks of him as a man of great holiness who was rich in his poverty.[4] He died in Rome[5] and was eventually buried in the Catacomb of Pontian together with his son and immediate successor, Innocent I, which is probably a unique case of a pope being succeeded by his son.[6]

References

1. "Saint of the Day, December 19". SaintPatrickDC.org. Archived from the original on 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
2. "Pope Anastasius I". The Ecole Glossary. Archived from the original on 2010-06-16.
3. "Letter XCV. From Pope Anastasius to Simplicianus". The Principal Works of St. Jerome.
4. Campbell, Thomas (1907). "Pope St. Anastasius I". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
5. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Saint Anastasius I". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
6. "Sant' Innocenzo I su santiebeati.it".

External links

• Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Latina
• "Anastasius I" in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints

Titles of the Great Christian Church
Preceded by Siricius	Pope 399–401	Succeeded by Innocent I