Saint
Anastasius I
Born: 4th Century, Rome, Italy
Died: 402
Feast Day: 19th December (Originally celebrated 27th
April)
Saint
Anastasius was born in Rome during the 4th Century around 330, his
father’s name was Maximus. Not much is
known about his early life, other than he was prayerful and obedient even when
he was young. He was not interested in
material things as an adult. At some point he must have married and had at
least one child, it appears he was widowed at a young age. He became Pope on 27th November 399,
succeeding Pope Saint Siricius and was immediately involved in the turmoil resulting
from the writings of Origen which were founded on hypothesis at the time – some
of which appeared to go against Christian teaching. Saint Anastasius convened a synod to condemn
the works and much or Origen’s works were burnt, although later synods suggest
this was unnecessary.
Anastasius
fought against the heresy of Donatism who claimed that
the validity of the sacraments depended on the moral character of the minister,
and that sinners could not be members of the Church, and could not be
tolerated by a true Church unless their sins were secret. Donatism
was banned and disappeared not long after.
Anastasius was friends
with Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Jerome and Saint Paulinas of Nola. He supported Saint Jerome’s work of
translating Scriptures into Latin taking a stand against Rufinus of Aquilea’s
more allegorical translation. He died in
402 of natural causes and was succeeded by his own son Innocent I.
References: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01454c.htm
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