Anastasius I

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399.11.27 to 401
 Pope #39
 St. Siricius (384-399)
St. Innocent I (401-417)

Anastasius, son of Maximus
in Rome


Pope Anastasius I

Biography:

A Roman, son of Maximus.

Pontificate

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Origen of Alexandria
His short reign delt primarily with his condemning of the writings of Origen of Alexandria (c. 185-254), the 3rd century Christian theologian and writer.

Condemnation of Origen

Shortly before his reign, a translation of Origen's First Principle from Greek into Latin had been completed by Rufinus of Aquileia (c. 345-410). When Jerome (331-420) read the book however, he found much of the writing to be blasphemous. Jerome, living in Bethlehem at the time, contacted several influential bishops, who were also close friends of his, determined to have the writings condemned.

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St. Jerome
In the spring of 400, Anastatius received a letter from Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria (d. 412), concerning the evils within Origen's writings, and that they had recently condemned them in Egypt, suggesting Rome do the same. Although Anastasius hadn't even read the translation, the pressure from Jerome and his friends, caused him to eventually convene a synod in Rome which also anathematised the writings. Anastasius then sent a letter to Bishop Simplician of Milan (d. 400), reporting on the condemnation, and suggesting he and the other bishops of northern Italy, condemn the writings too.

Rufinus, who wrote the translation, sent Anastasius a letter defending the writings; however, the pope was unmoved. Anastasius wrote to Bishop John of Jerusalem in 401, that while he remained sceptical about Rufinus' motives in making his notorious translation, he left him to God's judgement.

Non-Catholics

At the Council of Carthage (401), African bishops, fearful of a shortage clergy, debated on whether to remove the ban against Donatists (those who rejected sacraments done by clergy who succumed to persecution, called lapsi). Anastasius wrote a letter to the council at this time, pleading for the bishops to continue the ban. The bishops in the end, chose to remove the ban.

Death

Anastasius I died after just two years. Jerome wrote calling him a saintly and blessed bishop "of very rich poverty and Apostolic solicitude". He was buried in the cemetery of Pontian on the Via Portuensis.

Rulers & Events:

395-423: Western Roman Emperor, Flavius Honorius

395-408: Eastern Roman Emperor, Arcadius