Pope Saint Sergius I

Biography

Pope Saint Sergius I, born to Syrian immigrants, was educated in Palermo, Italy. After completing his education, he was ordained in Rome and became a canon regular of Saint John Lateran. He was later named cardinal-priest of Saint Susanna by Pope Leo II. On December 15, 687, Sergius was elected as the Pope, chosen over the priest Theodore and the archdeacon Paschal, who was later discovered to be involved in magic and subsequently stripped of his position. During his papacy, Emperor Justinian II asserted his authority over all matters, including the Church. Sergius, however, refused to grant papal approval to the edicts issued by Justinian and the Synod of Trullan in 692, which the emperor had convened. In response, Justinian ordered the arrest of Pope Sergius, but the citizens of Rome rose up to defend him. As additional troops arrived, fighting broke out. Zachary, the leader of the emperor's forces, sought sanctuary and the protection of Sergius. He was eventually forced to hide under the pope's bed. Sergius immediately ordered an end to the violence, and many of the troops sent to arrest him instead sided with the pope. Zachary and his remaining soldiers were allowed to withdraw. During Sergius's papacy, Islam made significant advances in North Africa. The region saw the capture of Carthage and the collapse of Roman power, ending an 850-year-long era. Sergius managed to reconcile the Church of Aquileia to Rome, fostering unity within the Christian community. Recognizing the importance of key religious events, Sergius ordered processions in Rome on the days of the Annunciation, Nativity, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and Purification. Understanding the need for spreading the Christian faith, Sergius sent missionaries to Friesland and Germany, expanding the influence of the Church in those regions. Furthermore, he defended Saint Wilfrid of York and supported the baptism of Caedwalla as the king of the West Saxons in 689. In 695, Sergius ordained Saint Willibrand as bishop of the Frisians. Pope Sergius I further contributed to the liturgical practices by introducing the Agnus Dei to the Latin eucharistic rites. Throughout his papacy, Sergius ordained numerous bishops, priests, and deacons. In total, he ordained 96 bishops, 18 priests, and 4 deacons, nurturing and expanding the leadership of the Church. Pope Saint Sergius I passed away on September 7, 701, in Rome, Italy, due to natural causes. He was interred at the Vatican. Sergius was canonized as a saint before the canonization process was formalized. His feast days are celebrated on September 8 and September 9 in some calendars. Pope Saint Sergius I remains a revered figure in Catholic history, known for his defense of the Church's autonomy and his efforts to spread Christianity to various parts of the world.