St. Anastasius I
Anastasius · 399 – 401
Praised by St. Jerome for his holiness, he acted decisively against doctrinal errors while maintaining pastoral care.
Anastasius I was a Roman who became pope in 399. He condemned the writings of Origen that had caused division among theologians and worked to maintain doctrinal clarity. St. Jerome praised him as a man of great holiness and apostolic care. His reign was brief — just three years — but his reputation for personal sanctity outlasted him.
Why He Matters
Anastasius I earned praise from Jerome himself, who called him a man of outstanding holiness. In a period of heated theological debate, he acted decisively to protect the faith without unnecessary harshness.