9th century
Feast: December 6
Pope who defended papal authority and Christian marriage against powerful political forces.
Nicholas I served as Pope from 858 to 867 and was known as Nicholas the Great (820-867). He courageously defended papal authority against emperors and kings. He refused to approve King Lothair divorce and excommunicated Patriarch Photius of Constantinople. His strong leadership helped establish important precedents for papal authority. He died having strengthened the papacy significantly.