Book of the Pontiffs 4

To the most blessed Pope Damasus, from Jerome. Our humility beseeches the glory of your holiness, that according to the apostolic see which we have learned that you govern, we pray for this through your holiness: that you may deign to recount to us in orderly fashion of peace the record of the acts from the primacy of blessed Peter the apostle down to your own times—what things were done in your see; so that our humility may come to know who was counted worthy to be crowned with the martyrdom of the bishops of the aforesaid holy see, or who is known to have transgressed against the canons of the apostles. Pray for us, most blessed pope. Given on the fifth day before the Kalends of May. Received at Rome. Damasus the bishop, to Jerome the presbyter.

The Church rejoices, now already satisfied at your fountain, and the curiosity of the priestly ages thirsts the more, that what is worthy may be known and what is unworthy rejected. Nevertheless, what we have been able to find recorded for the study of our see, we have rejoicingly directed to your charity. Pray for us unto the holy resurrection, brother and fellow-presbyter. Farewell in Christ. Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of June. Received on the sixth day before the Kalends of October.

I, Blessed Peter; II, Linus; III, Cletus; IIII, Clement; V, Anacletus; VI, Evaristus; VII, Alexander; VIII, Xystus; VIIII, Telesphorus; X, Hyginus; XI, Anicetus; XII, Pius; XIII, Soter; XIIII, Eleutherus; XV, Victor; XVI, Zephyrinus; XVII, Calixtus; XVIIII, Anteros; XX, Pontian; XXI, Fabian; XXII, Cornelius; XXIII, Lucius; XXIIII, Stephen; XXV, Xystus; XXVI, Dionysius; XXVII, Felix; XXVIII, Eutychianus; XXVIIII, Gaius; XXX, Marcellinus; XXXI, Marcellus; XXXII, Eusebius; XXXIII, Miltiades; XXXIIII, Silvester; XXXV, Mark; XXXVI, Julius; XXXVII, Liberius; XXXVIII, Felix; XXXVIIII, Damasus; XL, Siricius; XLI, Anastasius; XLII, Innocent; XLIII, Zosimus; XLIIII, Boniface; XLV, Celestine; XLVI, Xystus; XLVII, Leo; XLVIII, Hilarius; XLVIIII, Simplicius; L, Felix; LI, Gelasius; LII, Anastasius; LIII, Symmachus; LIIII, Hormisdas; LV, John; LVI, Felix; LVII, Boniface; LVIII, John; LVIIII, Agapitus; LX, Silverius; LXI, Vigilius; LXII, Pelagius; LXIII, John; LXIIII, Benedict; LXV, Pelagius I.

BLESSED PETER, of Antioch, son of John, of the province of Galilee, from the village of Bethsaida, brother of Andrew and chief of the apostles, first sat in the episcopal chair at Antioch for ten years. This Peter entered into the city of Rome in the reign of Nero Caesar, and there he sat in the episcopal chair twenty-five years, two months, three days. He lived in the times of Tiberius Caesar and Gaius and Tiberius Claudius and Nero. He wrote two epistles which are called canonical, and the Gospel of Mark, because Mark was his hearer and his son by baptism; after the whole source of the four gospels, at Peter's questioning they were confirmed, since one agrees in Greek, another in Hebrew, another in Latin. He is crowned with martyrdom together with Paul. He held three ordinations: presbyters,

ten; bishops, three; deacons, seven, in the month of December. He was buried on the Via Aurelia, in the temple of Apollo, near the place where he was crucified, near the Neronian palace in the Vatican, in the triumphal district, on the Via Aurelia, on the third day before the Kalends of July. II. LINUS, of Italian nationality, of the region [of Tuscany], whose father was Herculanus, sat eleven years, three months, twelve days. He held office in the times of Nero, from the consulship of Saturninus and Scipio to the consulship of Capito and Rufinus. He is crowned with martyrdom. By the precept of blessed Peter he established that a woman should enter the church with her head veiled. He was buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the eighth day before the Kalends of October. III. CLETUS, of Roman nationality, from the region of the Vicus Patricius, whose father was Aemilianus, sat twelve years, one month, eleven days.

He lived in the times of Vespasian and Titus, from the consulship of Vespasian (for the seventh time) and Domitian (for the fifth) down to the consulship of Domitian (for the ninth time) and Rufus. He was crowned with martyrdom. He, by the command of blessed Peter, ordained twenty-five presbyters in the city of Rome in the month of December. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the sixth day before the Kalends of May. IV. CLEMENT, a Roman by nation, from the region of the Caelian Hill, son of Faustinus, occupied the see for nine years, two months, and ten days. He lived in the times of Galba and Vespasian, from the consulship of Tragalus and Italicus down to the ninth consulship of Vespasian and that of Titus. He was crowned with martyrdom.

He established seven regions and assigned them to faithful notaries of the Church, so that each one might carefully and diligently search out throughout his own region the deeds of the martyrs; and he composed two epistles. He held three ordinations: ten presbyters, two deacons, and five bishops for various places, in the month of December. He died a martyr in the third year of Trajan. He was buried in Greece, on the ninth day before the Kalends of December. And the episcopate was vacant for twenty-one days. V. ANACLETUS, a Greek by nation, from Athens, son of Antiochus, occupied the see for twelve years, ten months, and three days. He lived in the times of Domitian, from the tenth consulship of Domitian and that of Sabinus down to the seventeenth consulship of Domitian and that of Clement.

He built and constructed a memorial to blessed Peter, while he had been made a presbyter by blessed Peter, where the bishops might be laid to rest; where indeed he himself was also buried in peace, on the third day before the Ides of July. He held two ordinations: five presbyters, three deacons, and seven bishops for various places, in the month of December. And the episcopate was vacant for fifteen days. VI. EVARISTUS, a Greek by nation, an Antiochene, son of Judas of the city of Bethlehem, occupied the see for nine years, ten months, and two days. He lived in the times of Domitian and of Nerva Trajan, from the consulship of Valens and Vetus down to the consulship of Gallus and Bradua. He was crowned with martyrdom.

He distributed the titular churches in the city of Rome among the presbyters and ordained seven deacons, who were to guard the bishop while he preached, on account of the touchstone of truth. He held four ordinations: seventeen presbyters, nine deacons, and fifteen bishops for various places. He was buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the fifth day before the Kalends of November. And the episcopate was vacant for nineteen days. VII. ALEXANDER, a Roman by nation, son of Alexander, from the region of Caput Tauri, occupied the see for ten years, seven months, and two days. He lived in the times of Trajan down to those of Aelianus and Vetus. He inserted the Passion of the Lord into the preaching of the priests. He was crowned with martyrdom, and with him the presbyter Eventius and the deacon Theodulus. He instituted that water for sprinkling, with salt, be blessed in the dwellings of men.

He held three ordinations: six presbyters, two deacons, and five bishops for various places, in the month of December. He was buried on the Via Nomentana, where he was beheaded, seven miles from the city of Rome, on the fifth day before the Nones of May. And the episcopate was vacant for thirty-seven days. VIII. SIXTUS, a Roman by nation, son of Pastor, from the region of the Via Lata, occupied the see for ten years, two months, and one day. He lived in the times of Hadrian down to those of Verus and Anculus. He was crowned with martyrdom. He instituted that the sacred vessels of the ministry should not be touched except by the ministers. He instituted that whatever bishop should be summoned to the apostolic Roman see, upon returning to his own diocese should not be received unless the people had been confirmed by a greeting addressed to the apostolic see.

He instituted that, within the action of the Mass, the priest beginning, the people should chant the hymn: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth,' and the rest. He held three ordinations: eleven presbyters, three deacons, and four bishops for various places. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the sixth day before the Nones of April. And the episcopate was vacant for two months. IX. TELESPHORUS, a Greek by nation, formerly an anchorite, occupied the see for eleven years, three months, and twenty-one days. He lived in the times of Antoninus and Marcus. He instituted that a fast of seven weeks be kept before Easter. He was crowned with martyrdom. He decreed that on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Masses should be celebrated at night, and that at the beginning of the sacrifice the angelic hymn should be said:

'Glory to God in the highest,' and the rest; but only at night, at the Nativity of the Lord. He held four ordinations: twelve presbyters, eight deacons, and thirteen bishops for various places, in the month of December. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the fourth day before the Nones of January. And the episcopate was vacant for seven days. X. HYGINUS, a Greek by nation, formerly a philosopher, from Athens, occupied the see for four years, three months, and three days. He lived in the times of Severus and Marcus, from the consulship of Magnus and Camerinus down to that of Orfitus and Camerinus. He organized the clergy and distributed the grades. And he held three ordinations in the month of December: fifteen presbyters, five deacons, and six bishops for various places. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the third day before the Kalends of January.

And the episcopate was vacant for three days. XI. ANICETUS, a Syrian by nation, son of John, from the village of Amisa, occupied the see for eleven years, four months, and three days. He lived in the times of Severus and Marcus, from the consulship of Gallicanus and Vetus down to that of Praesens and Rufinus. He instituted that a cleric should not let his hair grow long. He held five ordinations in the month of December: nine presbyters, four deacons, and nine bishops for various places. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter in the Vatican, on the twelfth day before the Kalends of May. And the episcopate was vacant for seven days. XII. PIUS, an Italian by nation, son of Rufinus, brother of Pastor, from the city of Aquileia, occupied the see for nineteen years, four months, and three days. He lived in the times of Antoninus Pius, from the consulship of Clarus and Severus.

Under his episcopate his own brother Hermas wrote a book, in which is contained the commandment which the angel of the Lord enjoined, when he came to him in the guise of a shepherd and commanded him that the holy Easter be celebrated on the Lord's Day. He held five ordinations in the month of December: nineteen presbyters, twenty-one deacons, and twelve bishops for various places. He was also buried beside the body of blessed Peter, on the fifth day before the Ides of July. The episcopate was vacant for fourteen days. XIII. SOTER, a Campanian by nation, son of Concordius, from the city of Fundi, occupied the see for nine years, six months, and twenty-one days. He lived in the times of Severus, from the consulship of Rusticus and Aquilinus down to that of Cethegus and Clarus. He instituted that no monk should touch the consecrated altar-cloth, nor place the incense within the holy church.

He held three ordinations in the month of December: seventeen presbyters, nine deacons, and eleven bishops for various places. He was buried beside the body of blessed Peter, on the tenth day before the Kalends of May. The episcopate was vacant for eleven days. XIV. ELEUTHERUS, a Greek by nation, son of Abundius, from the town of Nicopolis, occupied the see for fifteen years, three months, and two days. He lived in the times of Antoninus and Commodus down to those of Paternus and Bradua. He received a letter from Lucius, a British king, asking that he might be made a Christian by his command. And he held this firmly, that no one whom God has created should be repudiated by Christians, especially by the faithful, those who are nonetheless rational beings. He held three ordinations in the month of December: twelve presbyters, eight deacons, and fifteen bishops for various places.

He was buried beside the body of blessed Peter, on the eighth day before the Kalends of June. The episcopate was vacant for sixteen days. XV. VICTOR, an African by nation, son of Felix, occupied the see for ten years, two months, and ten days. He lived in the times of Caesar, from the second consulship of Commodus and that of Glabrio down to that of Lateranus and Rufinus. He instituted that Easter be celebrated on the Lord's Day, just as Pius had done. He composed the following clergy-lists. He was crowned with martyrdom. He instituted that, when necessity required, wherever water might be found—whether in a river, or in the sea, or in a fountain, or in a pool—any man coming from among the Gentiles, once the Christian confession had been declared, by his confession of faith might become a full Christian so as to be baptized.

And he held a council, and an inquiry was made concerning Easter, or concerning the first day, with Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, regarding the moon. He held two ordinations: four presbyters, six deacons, and twelve bishops for various places. He was buried beside the body of blessed Peter, on the fifth day before the Kalends of August. And the episcopate was vacant for eleven days. XVI. ZEPHYRINUS, a Roman by nation, son of Habundantius, occupied the see for eight years, seven months, and ten days. He lived in the times of Antoninus and Severus, from the consulship of Saturninus, Antoninus, and Gallicanus down to that of Praesens and Strictus. He instituted that all the clergy and faithful laity be present, whether a cleric, a Levite, or a priest was being ordained.

And he made a regulation concerning the church and the glass patens: that before him in the church the priests, with the ministers supporting them, while the bishop celebrated Mass, with all the priests standing before him, the Masses should thus be celebrated; except that, where it pertains to the bishop's office, only the clergy should attend, with all present, so that from that consecration, from the hand of the bishop, the presbyter might already receive the consecrated portion to be delivered to the people. He held four ordinations in the month of December: fourteen presbyters, eight deacons, and thirteen bishops for various places. He was buried in his own cemetery beside the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the eighth day before the Kalends of September. And the episcopate was vacant for five days. XVII. CALLISTUS, a Roman by nation, son of Domitius, from the region of the Urbs Ravennantium, occupied the see for six years and

two months and eleven days. He lived in the times of Macrinus and Theodolus, from the consulship of Antoninus and Alexander. He was crowned with martyrdom. He instituted that the fast on the Sabbath day be observed three times a year—of grain, wine, and oil—according to the prophet, in the fourth, seventh, and tenth months. He was buried in the cemetery of Calepodius, on the Via Aurelia, at the third milestone, on the day before the Ides of October. He held five ordinations in the month of December: sixteen presbyters, four deacons, and eight bishops for various places. The episcopate was vacant for six days. XVIII. URBAN, a Roman by nation, son of Pontianus, occupied the see for four years, ten months, and twelve days. He established the sacred vessels of silver and set up twenty-five silver patens. He also (cared for) the clergy as a confessor in the times of Diocletian.

By his teaching he converted many to baptism, including Valerian, the betrothed of holy Cecilia, and many were crowned with martyrdom through his doctrine. He held five ordinations in the month of December: nineteen presbyters, seven deacons, and eight bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Praetextatus, on the Via Appia, where blessed Tiburtius buried him, on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of June. And the episcopate was vacant for thirty days. XIX. ANTERUS, a Greek by nation, son of Romulus, occupied the see for twelve years, one month, and twelve days. He was crowned with martyrdom in the times of Maximinus and Africanus, the consuls. He diligently sought out the deeds of the martyrs from the notaries and stored them up in the church. On account of a certain Maximus, a presbyter, he was made a martyr. He ordained one bishop.

He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the fourth day before the Nones of January. And the episcopate was vacant for two days. XX. PONTIAN, a Roman by nation, son of Calpurnius, occupied the see for nine years, five months, and two days. He was crowned with martyrdom in the times of Alexander, from the consulship of Pompeianus and Pelinianus. At that same time the bishop Pontian and the presbyter Hippolytus were consigned to exile by Alexander on the island of Sardinia, at Bucina, in the consulship of Severus and Quintianus. On that same island, afflicted and beaten to death with cudgels, he died on the third day before the Kalends of November. He held two ordinations: six presbyters, five deacons, and seven bishops for various places. Blessed Fabian brought him back by ship and buried him in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia. The episcopate was vacant from the day of his deposition, from the eleventh day before the Kalends

of December. XXI. FABIAN, a Roman by nation, son of Fabius, occupied the see for fourteen years, one month, and eleven days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He lived in the times of Maximus and Africanus down to the second consulship of Decius and that of Quadratus, and he suffered on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of February. He distributed the regions among the deacons and appointed seven subdeacons, who were to oversee the seven notaries, so that they might faithfully collect the deeds of the martyrs. After his passion, the presbyters Moses and Maximinus and the deacon Nicostratus were arrested. At that same time Moses died in prison, where he had been for eleven months, and thus many Christians fled. He held five ordinations in the month of December: twenty-two presbyters, deacons, and fourteen bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of February.

And the episcopate was vacant for seven days. XXII. CORNELIUS, a Roman by nation, occupied the see for one year, two months, and three days. He was crowned with martyrdom. In his times, asked by a certain matron, he raised up the bodies of the apostles, blessed Peter and Paul, from the Catacombs by night; first indeed, blessed Lucina, having received the body of blessed Paul, laid it in her own estate on the Via Ostiensis, near the place where he was beheaded; the bishop blessed Cornelius received the body of blessed Peter the apostle and laid it near the place where he was crucified, among the bodies of the saints, in the temple of Apollo, on the Golden Mount, in the Vatican of Nero's palace, on the third day before the Kalends of July. After this was done, he held one ordination: eight presbyters. He too was beheaded at the temple of Mars.

His body the blessed Lucina gathered by night and buried in a crypt beside the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, in her own estate, on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of October. And the episcopate was vacant for sixty-six days. XXIII. LUCIUS, a Roman by nation, son of Porphyrius, occupied the see for three years, three months, and three days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He lived in the times of Gallus and Volusianus down to the third consulship of Valerian and that of Gallicanus. He was in exile. Afterwards, by the will of God, he returned unharmed to the church. He commanded that two presbyters and three deacons should in every place not desert the bishop, on account of ecclesiastical testimony. He too was beheaded by Valerian, on the fourth day before the Nones of March. He held two ordinations in the month of December: four presbyters, four deacons, and seven bishops for various places.

He too was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia. The episcopate was vacant for thirty days. XXIV. STEPHEN, a Roman by nation, son of Jobius, occupied the see for six years, five months, and two days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He lived in the times of Valerian, Gallicanus, and Maximus down to the third consulship of Valerian and the second of Gallicanus. He instituted for the priests and Levites that they should not use the consecrated vestments for daily use except in the church. He held two ordinations in the month of December: six presbyters, five deacons, and two bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the third day before the Nones of August. The episcopate was vacant for twenty-two days. XXV. SIXTUS, a Greek by nation, formerly a philosopher, occupied the see for one year, ten months, and twenty-four days. He was crowned with martyrdom. He lived in the times of Valerian and Decius.

Together with blessed Sixtus, six deacons were beheaded: Felicissimus, Agapitus, Januarius, Magnus, Vincentius, and Stephanus, on the sixth day before the Ides of August. And the presbyters presided from the second consulship of Maximus and that of Glabrio down to that of Tuscus and Bassus, in the consulship of Tuscus and Bassus, down to the thirteenth day before the Kalends of August, at which time there was a great persecution under Decius. And after the passion of blessed Sixtus, after three days there suffered Laurentius his archdeacon, and the presbyter Claudius Severus, and the doorkeeper Romanus, and the lector Crescentius. He held two ordinations: four presbyters, seven deacons, and two bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia; for his six deacons were buried in the cemetery of Praetextatus, on the Via Appia, on the sixth day before the Ides of August;

but blessed Laurentius was buried on the Via Tiburtina in a crypt, in the Ager Veranus, on the fourth day before the Ides of August. And the episcopate was vacant for two years. XXVI. DIONYSIUS, formerly a monk, whose lineage we have not been able to discover, occupied the see for six years, two months, and four days. He lived in the times of Gallienus, from the eleventh day before the Kalends of August, in the consulship of Aemilianus and Bassus, down to the seventh day before the Kalends of January, from the consulship of Claudius and Paternus. He gave the churches to the presbyters and established the cemeteries and the parishes of the diocese. He held ordinations of bishops: seven for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the sixth day before the Kalends of January. And the episcopate was vacant for five days. XXVII. FELIX, a Roman by nation, son of Constantius, occupied the see for four years, three months, and twenty-five days. He was crowned with martyrdom.

He lived in the times of Claudius and Aurelian, from the consulship of Claudius and Paternus down to the consulship of Aurelian and Capitolinus. He instituted that Mass be celebrated over the tombs of the martyrs. He held two ordinations in the month of December: nine presbyters, three deacons, and eleven bishops for various places. He was buried in his own cemetery, on the Via Aurelia, at the second milestone, on the third day before the Kalends of June. And the episcopate was vacant for five days. XXVIII. EUTYCHIANUS, a Tuscan by nation, son of Marinus, occupied the see for one year, one month, and one day. He lived in the times of Aurelian, from the third consulship of Aurelian and that of Marcellinus down to the day of the Ides of December, in the consulship of Carus (for the second time) and Carinus. He instituted that the produce of the fields be blessed upon the altar. He buried 362 martyrs in various places. He held five ordinations in the month

of December: fourteen presbyters, five deacons, and nine bishops for various places. He too was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the eighth day before the Kalends of August. And the episcopate was vacant for nine days. XXIX. GAIUS, a Dalmatian by nation, of the family of the emperor Diocletian, son of Gaius, occupied the see for eleven years, four months, and twelve days. He lived in the times of Carus and Carinus, from the sixteenth day before the Kalends of January, from the second consulship of Carus. Fleeing the persecution of Diocletian and dwelling in the crypts, he rested as a confessor. He held four ordinations in the month of December: sixteen presbyters, eight deacons, and five bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the tenth day before the Kalends of May. The episcopate was vacant for eleven days. XXX. MARCELLINUS, a Roman by nation, son of Projectus, occupied the see for nine years, four months, and sixteen days.

He lived in the times of Diocletian and Maximian, from the day of the Kalends of July, from the sixth consulship of Diocletian and the second of Constantius down to the ninth of Diocletian and the eighth of Maximian, at which time there was a great persecution, so that within thirty days sixteen thousand persons of both sexes were crowned with martyrdom throughout the various provinces. On account of this matter, Marcellinus himself was led to sacrifice, that he might offer incense, which he indeed did. And after a few days, moved to repentance, by the same Diocletian he was beheaded for the faith of Christ along with Claudius, Quirinus, and Antonius, and they were crowned with martyrdom. The holy bodies lay in the street for twenty-six days by the order of Diocletian.

Then the presbyter Marcellus gathered the bodies of the saints by night and buried them on the Via Salaria, in the cemetery of Priscilla, in a chamber which lies open to this very day, which he himself, repenting, had commanded while he was being dragged off to execution, in a crypt beside the body of holy Crescentio, on the seventh day before the Kalends of May. He held two ordinations in the month of December: four presbyters, two deacons, and five bishops for various places. And the episcopate was vacant for seven years, seven months, and twenty-five days, while Diocletian persecuted the Christians. XXXI. MARCELLUS, a Roman by nation, son of Marcellus, occupied the see for four years. He lived in the times of Maxentius, from the fourth consulship of Maxentius and that of Maximus down to after his consulship. He held ordinations in the month of December: twenty-five presbyters, two deacons, and twenty-one bishops for various places.

He was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of February. The episcopate was vacant for twenty days. XXXII. EUSEBIUS, a Greek by nation, formerly a physician, occupied the see for seven years, one month, and three days. He lived in the times of Constantine. In his times the holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ was found, on the fifth day before the Nones of May. In his time Judas Cyriacus was baptized. He held three ordinations: thirteen presbyters, three deacons, and fourteen bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the sixth day before the Nones of October. The episcopate was vacant for seven days. XXXIII. MILTIADES, an African by nation, occupied the see for three years, six months, and eight days, from the day of the Nones of July, from the ninth consulship of Maximinus down to the second of Maxentius, which was in the month of September, in the consulship of Volusianus and Rufinus.

He instituted that on no account should any of the faithful keep a fast on the Lord's Day or on the fifth day of the week, because the pagans celebrated those days as a kind of sacred fast. And the Manichaeans were discovered in the city. From that same day he ordained that the consecrated offerings should be sent through the churches, and that what was consecrated by the bishop should be conveyed, which is called the 'ferment' (fermentum). He held one ordination in the month of December: four presbyters, three deacons, and eleven bishops for various places. And the episcopate was vacant for sixteen days. XXXIV. SYLVESTER, a Roman by nation, son of Rufinus, occupied the see for twenty-three years, ten months, and eleven days, in the times of Constantine and Volusianus, from the day of the Kalends of February down to the day of the Kalends of January, in the consulship of Constantius and Volusianus.

He was in exile on Mount Soracte, being harried by the persecution of Constantine, and afterwards, returning in glory, he baptized Constantine Augustus, whom the Lord healed of leprosy through baptism. He made a regulation concerning the whole church. In his times a council was held, with his consent, at Nicaea in Bithynia; and there were gathered three hundred and eighteen catholic bishops, priests, and others, the weak whose signatures ran to two hundred and eight, who set forth the whole holy catholic and immaculate faith and condemned Arius, Photinus, and Sabellius and their followers. And in the city of Rome the bishop gathered two hundred and seventy-seven (bishops) and condemned Callistus, Arius, and Photinus.

And he established that a presbyter should not receive an Arian except (in the presence of) the bishop of the designated place, and that the chrism be confected by the bishop, and a privilege for the bishops, that they should sign (with chrism) one baptized, on account of heretical persuasion. He instituted that no layman should bring a charge against a cleric. He instituted that the deacons should wear dalmatics, and that linen-mixed palls cover their left arms. He instituted that no cleric should, on any cause whatever, enter the court, nor plead a case before a girded judge except in the church. He instituted that the sacrifice of the altar should not be celebrated upon silk, nor upon dyed cloth, but only upon linen, just as the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was buried in a linen shroud: thus the Masses should be celebrated.

He instituted that, if anyone desired to serve or to advance in the church, he should be a lector for thirty years (i.e. age), an exorcist for thirty days, an acolyte for five years, a subdeacon for five years, a keeper of the martyrs' shrines for five years, a deacon for seven years, a presbyter for three, proven on every side and even by those outside who bear good testimony; and thus he should ascend to the order of the episcopate, no one usurping a higher or prior place, but acknowledging with modesty the order of the times, with the votive favor of all the clergy, no cleric or faithful person at all speaking against him. He held seven ordinations in the month of December: forty-four presbyters, thirty-six deacons, and sixty-five bishops for various places. At that same time Constantine Augustus made

a basilica in the Sessorian palace, where also he enclosed in gold and gems (a portion) of the wood of the holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. At that same time he made a basilica of the holy martyr Agnes at the request of his daughter Constantia. At that same time he made the basilica of Saint Laurentius. At that same time he made a basilica of the holy martyrs Marcellinus the presbyter and Peter the exorcist. Blessed Sylvester was buried on the Via Salaria, in the cemetery of Priscilla, at the third milestone from the city of Rome, on the day before the Kalends of January. The episcopate was vacant for nine days. XXXV. MARK, a Roman by nation, son of Priscus, occupied the see for two years. He lived in the times of Constantine and Nepotianus and Facundus, the consuls, from the day of the Kalends of February down to the day of the Kalends of October.

He instituted that the bishop of Ostia, who consecrates the bishop (of Rome), should use the pallium and be consecrated by the same bishop of the city of Rome. He held two ordinations in the month of December: twenty-five presbyters, six deacons, and seventeen bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Balbina, on the Via Ardeatina, on the day before the Nones of October. And the episcopate was vacant for twenty days. XXXVI. JULIUS, a Roman by nation, son of Rusticus, occupied the see for fifteen years and one month. He lived in the times of Constantine, Felicianus, and Maximinus. He held three ordinations in the month of December: eighteen presbyters, four deacons, and nine bishops for various places. He was buried on the Via Aurelia, in the cemetery of Calepodius, at the third milestone, on the day before the Ides of April. The episcopate was vacant for twenty-five days. XXXVII.

LIBERIUS, a Roman by nation, son of Augustus, occupied the see for six years, three months, and four days. He lived in the times of Constantius down to the third (consulship of) Constantius Augustus. He was thrust into exile by Constantius because he refused to consent to the Arian heresy. He spent three years (in exile). And Liberius, gathering the priests together with their counsel, ordained in his place the presbyter Felix, a venerable man, as bishop. And Felix held a council and found two presbyters consenting to the Arian Constantius Augustus, named Ursacius and Valens, and condemned them in a council of forty-eight bishops. After a few days, moved by zeal, Ursacius and Valens asked Constantius Augustus to recall Liberius from exile, that he might share in but one communion, except for re-baptizing.

And Liberius consented to the commands of the Augustus, that he should agree to the one participation of communion. Then they recalled Liberius from exile. At that same time Constantius, together with Ursacius and Valens, summoned some who were of the Arian dregs, and sent and recalled Liberius from the cemetery of holy Agnes, where he was staying; and Liberius having entered Rome, at that very hour Constantius held a council with the heretics, together with Ursacius and Valens, and expelled Felix from the episcopate, who was catholic, and recalled Liberius. From that same day there was a persecution among the clergy, so that within the church presbyters and clerics were put to death. And Felix, deposed from the episcopate, dwelt on his own small estate, where he rested in peace on the third day before the Kalends of August.

Liberius, having entered the city on the fourth day before the Nones of August, consented to the heretical Constantius; he was not, however, re-baptized, but gave his consent. He held two ordinations: eighteen presbyters, five deacons, and eight bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, on the fifth day before the Ides of September. The episcopate was vacant for six days. XXXVIII. FELIX, a Roman by nation, son of Anastasius, occupied the see for three years. He declared Constantius a heretic and twice re-baptized. He was crowned with martyrdom. He built a basilica on the Via Aurelia, two miles from the city, where also he rested. He held ordinations in the month of December: twenty-one presbyters, five deacons, and nineteen bishops for various places.

He too was beheaded with many clerics and faithful, secretly, beside the wall of the city, alongside the aqueduct of Trajan, on the third day before the Ides of November. And from there the Christians, together with the presbyter Damasus, snatched away his body by night and buried it in the aforesaid basilica, on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of December. The episcopate was vacant for thirty-eight days. XXXIX. DAMASUS, a Spaniard by nation, son of Antonius, occupied the see for eighteen years, three months, and eleven days. He lived in the times of Julian. He built two basilicas, one on the Via Ardeatina, where he rests. He was accused of the crime of adultery; a synod having been held, he was cleared by forty-four bishops; they condemned the deacons Concordius and Callistus, his accusers, and cast them out of the church. He held five ordinations in the month of December: thirty-one presbyters, deacons

eleven, and sixty-one bishops for various places. He was buried in his own basilica on the third day before the Ides of December, together with his mother and his sister. The episcopate was vacant for thirty-six days. XL. SIRICIUS, a Roman by nation, son of Tiburtius, occupied the see for fifteen years and twenty-five days. He made a regulation concerning the church and directed it throughout the provinces. He instituted that, without the consecrated bishop of any given place, a presbyter should not be permitted to be consecrated. He instituted that a heretic be reconciled by the imposition of hands. He held five ordinations: thirty-one presbyters, sixteen deacons, and thirty-two bishops for various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, on the eighth day before the Kalends of March. The episcopate was vacant for twenty days. XLI. ANASTASIUS, a Roman by nation, son of Maximus, occupied the see for three years and ten days.

He instituted that, whenever the Gospels are read, the priests should not sit. He held two ordinations: five presbyters, five deacons, and eleven bishops for various places. He was buried at the Ursus Pileatus, on the fifth day before the Kalends of May. The episcopate was vacant for twenty-one days. XLII. INNOCENT, an Albanian by nation, son of Innocentius, occupied the see for fifteen years, one month, and twenty-one days. He instituted that the Sabbath fast be observed, because on the Sabbath the Lord was laid in the tomb and the disciples fasted. He held four ordinations in December: thirty presbyters, twelve deacons, and fifty-four bishops for various places. He was buried at the Ursus Pileatus, on the fifth day before the Kalends of July. The episcopate was vacant for twenty-one days. XLIII. ZOSIMUS, a Greek by nation, son of Abramius, occupied the see for one year, two months, and eleven days.

He instituted that the deacons should have their left arms covered with linen-mixed palls throughout the parishes, and that the wax (candle) be blessed. He held one ordination in the month of December: ten presbyters, three deacons, and nine bishops for various places. He was buried beside the body of blessed Laurentius, on the Via Tiburtina, on the seventh day before the Kalends of January. The episcopate was vacant for eleven days. XLIV. BONIFACE, a Roman by nation, son of the presbyter Jocundus, occupied the see for three years, nine months, and six days. Under his pretension there was, with the ordinand Eulalius, dissension in the clergy for seven months and fifteen days. And a synod having been held, Eulalius was deposed under (the judgment of) other bishops, because he had not been justly ordained, and by the consent of all Boniface sat as prelate, and Eulalius was established as bishop in the city of Nepi.

He decreed that no woman or nun should touch, wash, or place incense upon the consecrated altar-cloth in church, except a minister; and that no slave should be made a cleric. He held one ordination in the month of December: 13 presbyters, 4 deacons, and 36 bishops in various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Saint Felicitas, on the Salarian Way, on the eighth day before the Kalends of November. The episcopate was vacant for nine days. 45. CELESTINE, of Campanian birth, son of Priscus, sat for 8 years, 10 months, and 17 days. He ordained that the 150 psalms of David should be sung before the sacrifice, which was not done before, but only the Epistles of Paul the Apostle and the holy Gospel were read, and thus Masses were celebrated. He held three ordinations in the month of December: 32 presbyters, deacons

12 deacons, and 46 bishops in various places. He was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Salarian Way, on the eighth day before the Kalends of April. The episcopate was vacant for 21 days. 46. SIXTUS, of Roman birth, son of Xystus, sat for 8 years and 19 days. He was incriminated and accused by a certain Bassus; by command of Valentinian Augustus, a synod was convened with great examination, and he was cleared by 54 bishops, and he cast Bassus out of communion. He held ordinations: 28 presbyters, 22 deacons, and 52 bishops in various places. He was buried on the Tiburtine Way, in the crypt by Saint Lawrence. The episcopate was vacant for 21 days. 47. LEO, of Tuscan birth, son of Quintian, sat for 21 years, 1 month, and 13 days. He issued a constitution concerning the church.

He confronted two heresies, those of Eutyches and Nestorius; and at the request of Marcian Augustus, the orthodox prince, by his command a council of holy bishops was held at Chalcedon in the East, in the basilica of the holy martyr Euphemia, and it gathered 266 priests and others, whose signatures were recorded — 406 bishops — who condemned Eutyches and Nestorius. And after 42 days, again assembled together with their signatures, 1,200 bishops who were present, setting forth the faith together with the most pious Augustus Marcian, who together with the Augusta Placidia publicly declared his faith before the presence of the holy priests and bishops, where again Eutyches was condemned.

And afterward the emperor Marcian, together with 150 bishops, sent and requested in writing of Pope Leo that he should set forth and direct to him the faith as an exposition of the catholic and apostolic faith. The blessed Leo indeed set it forth and sent his Tome and confirmed the holy synod. He composed many letters expounding the right catholic faith, which are kept today in the archive of the Roman church, and a decretal which he sowed and scattered throughout the whole world. He held four ordinations in the month of December: 81 presbyters, 31 deacons, and 175 bishops in various places. He ordained that a nun should not receive the blessing of the veil of the head unless she had been proven in virginity for 60 years. He was buried in the basilica of blessed Peter on the third day before the Ides of April. The episcopate was vacant for six days.

48. HILARY, of Sardinian birth, son of Crispinian, sat for 6 years, 3 months, and 10 days. He issued a decretal and sent it throughout the whole East, and letters concerning the catholic faith. He held one ordination in the month of December: 15 presbyters, 6 deacons, and 22 bishops in various places. He was buried at Saint Lawrence's, in the crypt, beside the body of blessed Sixtus. The episcopate was vacant for ten days. 49. SIMPLICIUS, of Tiburtine birth, son of Castinus, sat for 15 years, 1 month, and 7 days. He established weekly turns at Saint Peter's, Saint Paul's, and Saint Lawrence's, so that presbyters should remain there for the sake of baptism and penance for those requesting it:

from the first region to Saint Paul's, from the third region to Saint Lawrence's, from the seventh region to Saint Peter's. During his episcopate there came a report from Greece from Acacius, who was bishop of Constantinople, and he affirmed that Peter of Alexandria was a Eutychian heretic; the petition having been made by Acacius, the matter came forward. At that time the church was carrying it out. Then Simplicius the prelate condemned Peter of Alexandria, against whom Acacius affirmed innumerable crimes. At the same time Timothy the catholic and Acacius wrote back, saying that Peter was implicated in the death of a catholic presbyter. Then Pope Simplicius, dissembling, never wrote to Acacius, but condemned Peter. He held ordinations in the month of December, three: 58 presbyters, deacons

11 deacons, and 82 bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Peter's on the sixth day before the Nones of March. And the episcopate was vacant for five days. 50. FELIX, of Roman birth, son of Felix a presbyter, sat for 8 years, 11 months, and 15 days. During his episcopate there came again a report from the fathers of Greece, that Peter of Alexandria had been recalled to communion by Acacius. Then the venerable Pope Felix, sending a defender by the decree of the synod of his see, condemned Acacius together with Peter. After three years a report came again from the emperor Zeno, that Acacius might return as a penitent. Then Pope Felix held a council and by common consent sent two bishops, Misenus and Vitalis, so that if they found Acacius an accomplice of Peter, they should condemn him again; if not, they should present a written confession of penance.

But when they had entered the city of Constantinople, the aforesaid bishops, corrupted by a gift of money, did not act according to the command of the apostolic see. Coming then to Rome to the apostolic see, Pope Felix held a council; and after an examination was made in the council he found them guilty and cast out the bishops Misenus and Vitalis from communion. Then bishop Misenus did not keep silent that he had been corrupted by money; to whom the council granted a time of penance. This indeed was done in the times of King Odoacer. He held two ordinations in the month of December: 28 presbyters, 5 deacons, and 31 bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Paul's. The episcopate was vacant for five days. 51. GELASIUS, of African birth, son of Valerius, sat for 4 years, months

8 months, 8 days. He was in the times of King Theodoric and Zeno Augustus. By the proceedings of a synod he recalled, with weeping and upon the satisfaction of a written recantation, the now-cleared bishop Misenus. He composed prefaces for the sacraments in careful language, and letters of the faith in polished language. He held three ordinations in the month of December: 32 presbyters, 2 deacons, and 67 bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Peter's on the eleventh day before the Kalends of December. The episcopate was vacant for seven days. 52. ANASTASIUS, of Roman birth, son of Peter, sat for 1 year, 11 months, and 24 days. He held one ordination in the month of December: 12 presbyters and 9 bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Peter's in the Vatican on the twelfth day before the Kalends of December. And the episcopate was vacant for six days. 53.

SYMMACHUS, of Sardinian birth, son of Fortunatus, sat for 15 years, 7 months, and 26 days. He was in the times of the heretic Theodoric and the Eutychian Anastasius Augustus. He loved the clergy and the poor, being good, prudent, kindly, and gracious; and during his time Laurentius was ordained as bishop in rivalry. For this reason a part of the clergy and senators split off, some with Symmachus and others with Laurentius. And after this contention they jointly determined that both should go to Ravenna to the judgment of King Theodoric. When they had arrived, this just verdict was found: that whoever had been ordained first or where the greater part consented, he should sit in the apostolic see;

and this equity nonetheless found in favor of Symmachus, and the recognition of the truth; and blessed Symmachus was the prelate. At the same time Pope Symmachus held a synod and appointed Laurentius bishop in the city of Nuceria, out of consideration of mercy. But after four years, some of the clergy and some of the senate, led by zeal and guile, incriminated Symmachus and suborned false witnesses, whom they sent to Ravenna to the heretic King Theodoric, accusing blessed Symmachus; and secretly they recalled Laurentius to Rome; and they made a schism and a certain party separated themselves from one another from the communion of Symmachus, sending a report to the king, and they asked of King Theodoric a visitor of the apostolic see, Peter of Altinum.

At the same time blessed Symmachus gathered 115 bishops, and a synod having been held he was cleared of the false charge, and Peter of Altinum, the usurper of the apostolic see, and Laurentius of Nuceria were condemned. Then by all the bishops, presbyters, deacons, and clergy, blessed Symmachus was restored to the apostolic see, to sit as prelate with glory at blessed Peter's. He held four ordinations in the city of Rome in the month of December: 47 presbyters, 15 deacons, and 117 bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Peter's on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of August, in peace. The episcopate was vacant for three days. 54. HORMISDAS, of Campanian birth, son of Justus, from the city of Frusino, sat for 9 years and 16 days.

By the authority of his episcopate, and according to the decree of a synod, he sent into Greece, according to the humanity of the apostolic see, and reconciled the Greeks, who had been bound under anathema on account of Peter of Alexandria and Acacius of Constantinople. This pope went to King Theodoric at Ravenna, and by the king's counsel he dispatched Ennodius bishop of Ticinum and Fortunatus bishop of Catania and Euantius a presbyter of the city and Vitalis a deacon of the city: going to Anastasius Augustus, that the Greeks might be recalled upon the satisfaction of a written confession, they accomplished nothing. Again a second time Hormisdas sent the bishops Ennodius and Peregrinus and Pullio a subdeacon of the city, and they carried letters of the faith and secret protestations, nineteen in number, and a written confession, by which they might return;

but if they were unwilling to receive the protestations of the letters, they should scatter them throughout the cities. To this Anastasius Augustus was unwilling to consent, because he was a consenting party in the heresy of Eutyches. Wishing therefore to corrupt them by reward: but they, despising the prince, by no means consented to accept money. Inflamed with rage, the emperor cast them out through a dangerous route and placed them on a ship under peril of death, with the magistrian and prefectorial officers Heliodorus and Demetrius; and the emperor gave this charge, that they should enter no city. But they secretly placed the aforesaid nineteen letters of the faith, by the hands of catholic monks, throughout all the cities.

Yet these letters, received by the bishops of the cities who consented to the heretic Anastasius Augustus, were all out of fear directed to Constantinople into the hands of Anastasius. Driven by fury, Anastasius wrote among other imperial documents to Pope Hormisdas, saying: 'We wish to command, not to be commanded by you.' Struck by a divine blow, Anastasius perished. So Justin the orthodox took up the imperial power; and sending to the apostolic see, to Pope Hormisdas, a man illustrious by name Gratus, he hoped that they might be sent bound to the apostolic see, yet with the counsel of King Theodoric.

And he dispatched Germanus bishop of Capua and John a bishop and Blandus a presbyter and Felix a deacon of the apostolic see and Dioscorus a deacon of the see, whom, fortified on every side with the faith together with a written confession, he received, as to how the Greeks might return to the communion of the apostolic see. When they came near Constantinople, a multitude of monks and illustrious men ran out to meet them, among whom the emperor Justin and Vitalian the master of soldiers; and together from the place called the Round Castle as far as into the city of Constantinople they entered with glory and praises, together with the illustrious Gratus. So having entered the city, they were received by Justin Augustus the orthodox with glory.

So all the clergy of Constantinople, together with John the bishop, perceiving that they had been graciously received, shut themselves up within the great church which is called Holy Wisdom, and having taken counsel they sent word to the emperor, saying: 'Unless an account is rendered to us as to why Acacius, the bishop of our city, was condemned, we by no means agree with the apostolic see.' And a council having been held together with Justin Augustus in the sight of all the illustrious men, then the legates of the apostolic see chose from among their own number the deacon Dioscorus to render the account. He so set forth to them the faults of Acacius that even all, together with Justin Augustus, cried out, saying: 'Both here and forever let Acacius be condemned.' At the same time Justin Augustus ordered

once the truth was accepted, that without any delay all the bishops who were in the kingdom of Justin should make a written confession and return to the communion of the apostolic see, which indeed was done. And they were brought into concord from the East as far as the West, and the peace of the church prevailed. The text of which written confession is today kept stored in the archive of the church. He confronted the Manichaeans, whom he also examined under the trial of scourges; whose books he consumed by fire before the doors of the Constantinian basilica. In his times the episcopate of Africa was reordered after 74 years, since it had been destroyed by the heretics from the time of persecution. At the same time there came a golden crown with most precious gems as a gift from the king of the Franks.

He held ordinations of presbyters and bishops in various places. He was buried at blessed Peter's on the seventh day before the Ides of August. The episcopate was vacant for six days. 55. JOHN, of Tuscan birth, son of Constantius, sat for 2 years, 8 months, and 15 days, from the consulship of Maximus to the consulship of Olybrius. He was summoned by King Theodoric to Ravenna; and the king, entreating him, sent him on an embassy to Constantinople to Justin Augustus — a religious man, who out of the highest love of the Christian religion wished to root out the heretics. For with the greatest fervor he dedicated the churches of the Arians within the catholic faith. Whereupon Theodoric the Arian, being angered, wished to destroy all Italy with the sword.

Then John the venerable pope set out, walking with weeping and lamentation, together with religious men and consuls and the patricians Theodore, Importunus, Agapitus, and another Agapitus, receiving this as the charge of the embassy, that the churches should be restored to the heretics in the regions of Greece: but if this were not done, Justin Augustus would destroy all Italy with the sword. To him indeed, and to such great senators and illustrious ex-consuls and patricians of the city of Rome — Flavius Theodore an illustrious man, surpassing the splendor of all dignities, and also Importunus an illustrious man of consular rank, and Agapitus an illustrious man of consular rank, and another Agapitus a patrician — he granted the whole petition:

on account of the blood of the Romans, he restored the churches to the heretics. And when it had been carried out in the regions of Greece according to the will of the heretic King Theodoric — chiefly that the priests and Christians should be put to the sword — yet that most blessed bishop John together with the illustrious men was stationed at Constantinople; and King Theodoric seized two senators of consular rank and patrician status, and slew them with the sword, Boethius and Symmachus, whose bodies he also ordered to be hidden. But when these aforesaid illustrious men came back with bishop John, all things having been done in order — Agapitus the patrician having died in Greece — they were received by King Theodoric with guile and great hatred; he received bishop John and also the religious illustrious senators.

Receiving them then with such great indignation, he wished to punish them with the sword, but fearing the indignation of Justin Augustus the orthodox, he did not do so: yet he confined them all in custody, so that blessed Pope John, wasted away by the affliction of custody, growing faint, died. He died indeed at Ravenna with glory, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of June, in the custody of King Theodoric. After this, by the will of God almighty, on the forty-eighth day after bishop John died in custody, King Theodoric suddenly perished, struck down by divine power. He held ordinations in various places. The episcopate was vacant for ten days. 56. FELIX, of Samnite birth, son of Castorius, sat for 2 years and 14 days, from the consulship of Aburtus to the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, from the fourth day before the Ides of July

to the fourth day before the Ides of October. He built the basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian in the city of Rome, beside the Temple of the City of Rome. He died in the times of King Athalaric, on the third day of October. He was buried at blessed Peter's. He held two ordinations: 52 presbyters, 4 deacons, and 29 bishops in various places. The episcopate was vacant for one day.