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Pope Caius

2025-10-25T15:57:00Z

2402:800:6E0B:86C3:D77E:B000:5D36:3937: Minor changes and added photos

{{Redirects here|Saint Caius|the bishop of Milan|Caius of Milan}}{{Short description|Head of the Catholic Church from 283 to 296}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = Pope
| honorific-prefix = [[Pope Saint]]
| name = Caius
| title = [[Bishop of Rome]]
| church = [[Catholic Church]]
| image = 28-St.Caius.jpg
| term_start = 17 December 283
| term_end = 22 April 296
| predecessor = [[Pope Eutychian|Eutychian]]
| successor = [[Pope Marcellinus|Marcellinus]]
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Salona]], [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]], [[Roman Empire]]
| death_date = 22 April 296
| death_place = [[Rome]], [[Roman Italy|Italy]], [[Roman Empire]]
| feast_day = 22 April
}}
'''Pope Caius''' (died 22 April 296),<ref name="santasusanna"/> also called '''Gaius''', was the [[bishop of Rome]] from 17 December 283 to his death in 296.<ref name="ce">{{CatholicEncyclopedia|last=Chapman |first=John |wstitle=Caius and Soter, Saints and Popes |volume=3 |inline=1 |prescript=}}</ref> Little information on Caius is available except that given by the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', which relies on a legendary account of the martyrdom of [[Saint Susanna|Susanna of Rome]] for its information. According to legend, Caius baptized the men and women who had been converted by [[Saint Tiburtius|Tiburtius]] (who is venerated with Susanna) and [[Castulus]].<ref name="aciprensa">{{cite web|url=http://www.aciprensa.com/santos/santo.php?id=94 |title=San Castulo, Mártir | ACI Prensa – Santos |publisher=aciprensa.com|access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref> His legend states that Caius took refuge in the [[catacombs of Rome]] and died a [[martyr]].<ref name="St. Caius">{{cite book |url=http://www.cfpeople.org/Books/Pope/popep28.htm |chapter=St. Caius |title=Popes Through the Ages |first=Joseph |last=Brusher |year=1959 |via=Christ's Faithful People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101034234/http://www.cfpeople.org/books/pope/POPEp28.htm |archive-date=1 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Pontificate==
[[File:HR-Salona-Monastirine-5.jpg|thumb|Remains of the [[basilica]] of [[Salona]].]]
Christian tradition makes Caius a native of the [[Dalmatia]]n city of [[Salona]], the son of a man also named Caius or Gaius, and a member of a [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|noble family]] related to the [[Roman emperor|Emperor]] [[Diocletian]].<ref name="San Caio">[http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/50400 San Caio] at Santi e Beati {{in lang|it}}</ref> About 280, an early Christian house of worship was established on the site of [[Santa Susanna]], which, like many of the earliest Christian meeting places, was in a house (''domus ecclesiae''). The ''[[domus]]'' belonged, according to the sixth-century ''[[wikt:acta|acta]]'', to brothers named Caius and Gabinus, prominent Christians. Caius may be this pope, or [[Caius (presbyter)|Caius the Presbyter]]. Gabinus is the name given to the father of Susanna. Thus, sources state that Caius was the uncle of Susanna.<ref name="santasusanna">{{cite web|url=http://www.santasusanna.org/ourUniqueHistory/popes.html |title=Our Popes |publisher=The Church of Santa Susanna |access-date=16 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728074548/http://www.santasusanna.org/ourUniqueHistory/popes.html |archive-date=28 July 2015 }}</ref>

As pope, Caius decreed that before someone could assume the position of [[bishop]], he must first be [[Porter (doorkeeper)|porter]], [[lector]], [[exorcist]], [[acolyte]], [[subdeacon]], [[deacon]], and [[priest]]. He also divided the districts of Rome among the deacons.<ref name="St. Caius"/><ref>[http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0422.shtml Saint of the Day, April 22: ''Caius''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028083931/http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0422.shtml |date=28 October 2013 }} ''SaintPatrickDC.org.'' Retrieved 4 March 2012.</ref> During his pontificate, [[anti-Christian]] measures increased, although new churches were built and cemeteries were expanded.<ref name="San Caio"/><ref name="St. Caius"/>

===Martyrdom===
Pope Caius would go into hiding due to increased persecution of the church, alongside Saints Polycarp, [[Saint Sebastian|Sebastian]], [[Saint Tranquillinus|Tranquillinus]], [[Saint Tiburtius|Tiburtius]], Nicostratus and [[Zoe of Rome|Zoe]], in the house of [[Castulus]], a Christian officer employed at the Imperial Palace.<ref name="Crawford">{{cite book |last1=Crawford |first1=Alexander |title=Sketches of the history of Christian art |date=1847 |publisher=J. Murray |location=London |page=236 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sketches_of_the_history_of_Christian_art_(IA_gri_33125007724715).pdf |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref> Over the course of the next few years, the entire group would be discovered one by one by Roman authorities and martyred.<ref name="Crawford"/> Caius would be found praying with Tiburtius shortly after the conversion and baptism of Tiburtius' children and the pair was brought to the local [[Praefectus]], a man named Fabian, who ordered the construction of a great bonfire, and ordered the two to either throw [[frankincense]] into it to appease the Roman gods, or to cast themselves into it.<ref name="Crawford"/> Although Pope Caius' ultimate fate is unclear, often being associated with beheading, according to legend Tiburtius walked into the fire invoking the name of Christ and remained unhurt, so he was taken out of Rome by the [[Via Labicana]] and [[beheaded]].<ref name="Crawford"/> However, Caius' martyrdom is disputed, as the [[Diocletianic Persecution]] of Christians began in 303 AD, after Caius’ alleged death, and Diocletian was not immediately hostile to Christianity upon becoming emperor.<ref name="San Caio"/><ref name="St. Caius"/>

==Legacy==
[[Image:Martyrdom of Pope Caius.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the alleged martyrdom of Pope Caius by [[Lorenzo Monaco]]. It was originally part of the altarpiece of the church of San Gaggio in Florence.]]
Caius is mentioned in the fourth-century ''[[Depositio Episcoporum]]'' (therefore not as a martyr): ''X kl maii Caii in Callisti''.<ref name="ce"/>

Caius' tomb, with the original epitaph, was discovered in the [[catacomb of Callixtus]] and in it the ring with which he used to seal his letters (see Arringhi, Roma subterr., 1. iv. c. xlviii. p. 426).<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Caius|volume=4|page=960}}</ref> In 1631, his alleged residence in Rome was turned into a church. However, it was demolished in 1880 to make room for the [[Italian Minister of Defense|Ministry of War]], on the [[Via XX Settembre (Rome)|Via XX Settembre]], and his relics were transferred to the chapel of the [[Barberini]] family.<ref name="San Caio"/>

Saint Caius's [[feast day]] is celebrated on 22 April, as is that of [[Pope Soter]]. They are celebrated jointly in the [[Tridentine calendar]] and in the successive versions of the [[General Roman Calendar]] until that of 1969, since when they are omitted. Both are mentioned under 22 April in the [[Roman Martyrology]], the official list of recognized saints. The entry for Saint Caius is as follows: "At Rome, in the [[Catacombs of Rome#Catacombs of San Callisto|cemetery of Callistus]] on the [[Via Appia]], the burial of Saint Caius, Pope, who, fleeing from the persecution of [[Diocletian]], died as a confessor of the faith."<ref>Martyrologium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 {{ISBN|88-209-7210-7}})</ref>

Saint Caius is portrayed in art wearing the [[papal tiara]] with [[Saint Nereus]]. He is venerated in [[Dalmatia]] and [[Venice]]. In Florence, the church of [[San Gaggio, Florence|San Gaggio]] on the via Senese was dedicated to him; the term ''Gaggio'' is a corruption of the name ''Cajo''. In 2003, plans were put into effect to turn it into residential council housing.<ref>[http://www.comune.firenze.it/firenzelacittanuova/us/n/ac_opere_all_e.htm Firenze la città nuova – Gallery] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324074841/http://www.comune.firenze.it/firenzelacittanuova/us/n/ac_opere_all_e.htm |date=24 March 2007 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Catholic saints]]
*[[List of popes]]
*[[Portal:Catholic Church/Patron Archive/April 22|Pope Saint Caius, patron saint archive]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/01_01_0283-0296-_Caius,_Sanctus.html Opera Omnia by Migne patrologia Latina]

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{{s-ttl|title=[[Bishop of Rome]] <br/>[[List of popes|Pope]]|years=283–296}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Pope Marcellinus|Marcellinus]]}}
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{{Popes}}
{{Catholic saints}}
{{Subject bar |portal1= Saints |portal2= Biography |portal3= Christianity |portal4= Italy |portal5= History}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Caius, Pope}}
[[Category:296 deaths]]
[[Category:3rd-century archbishops]]
[[Category:3rd-century Christian saints]]
[[Category:3rd-century Romans]]
[[Category:Papal saints]]
[[Category:People from Roman Dalmatia]]
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Illyrian people]]
[[Category:3rd-century popes]]
[[Category:Legendary Romans]]

Pope Eugene II

2025-10-25T15:38:57Z

2402:800:6E0B:86C3:D77E:B000:5D36:3937: Small changes

{{Short description|Head of the Catholic Church from 824 to 827}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
|type = Pope
|honorific-prefix =[[List of popes|Pope]]
|name = Eugene II
|title = [[Bishop of Rome]]
|church = [[Catholic Church]]
|image = Pope Eugene II.jpg
|term_start= 6 June 824
|term_end=27 August 827
|predecessor=[[Paschal I]]
|successor=[[Pope Valentine|Valentine]]
|birth_name=
|birth_date=
|birth_place=[[Rome]],<ref>{{cite web| url = https://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/holy-father/eugenio-ii.html| title = "Eugene II", The Holy See}}</ref> [[Papal States]]
|death_date=27 August 827
|death_place=Rome, Papal States<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url= https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugenius-II |title=Eugenius II |author=((The Editors of ''Encyclopædia Britannica'')) |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date= 15 August 2016}}</ref>
|other=Eugene}}

'''Pope Eugene II''' ({{langx|la|Eugenius II}}; died 27 August 827) was the [[bishop of Rome]] and ruler of the [[Papal States]] from 6 June 824 to his death on 27 August 827. A native of [[Rome]], he was [[Papal selection before 1059|chosen by nobles]] to succeed [[Paschal I]] as [[pope]] despite the clergy and the people favoring Zinzinnus. The influence of the [[Carolingian]] Franks on the selection of popes was then firmly established. Pope Eugene convened a council at Rome in 826 to condemn [[simony]] and suspend untrained clergy. It was decreed that schools were to be established at cathedral churches and other places to give instruction in sacred and secular literature. His involvement in the [[Byzantine Iconoclasm]] controversy was largely inconsequential.

==Early career==

In earlier editions of the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'' Eugene is said to have been the son of Boemund, but in the more recent and more accurate editions, his father's name is not given. While he was archpriest of [[Santa Sabina|St Sabina on the Aventine]], and was said to have fulfilled most conscientiously the duties of his position. Eugene is described by his biographer as simple and humble, learned and eloquent, handsome and generous, a lover of peace, and wholly occupied with the thought of doing what was pleasing to [[God]].<ref name=Mann>[https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05598b.htm Mann, Horace. "Pope Eugene II." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 13 September 2017</ref>

==Accession==
Eugene was [[Papal selection before 1059|elected pope]] on 6 June 824, after the death of [[Paschal I]]. Paschal had attempted to curb the rapidly increasing power of the Roman nobility, who had turned for support to the [[Franks]] to strengthen their positions against him. When Paschal died, these nobles made strenuous efforts to replace him with a candidate of their own. The clergy put forward Zinzinnus, a candidate likely to continue the policy of Paschal. Even though the Roman Council of 769 under [[Pope Stephen III|Stephen III]] had decreed that the nobles had no right to a real share in a papal election, the nobles were successful in securing the consecration of Eugene. Eugene's candidacy was endorsed by Abbot Walla, who was then in Rome and served as a councilor to both the current emperor, [[Louis the Pious]], and his predecessor, [[Charlemagne]].<ref name=Brusher>{{cite web| url = http://www.stsmarthaandmary.org/popes/Eugene%20II.htm| title = "Brusher, S.J., Joseph. "Eugene II - the Reformer", ''Popes Through the Ages''}}</ref>

The election of Eugene II was a triumph for the Franks, and they subsequently resolved to improve their position. Emperor Louis the Pious accordingly sent his son [[Lothair I]] to Rome to strengthen the Frankish influence. The Roman nobles who had been banished during the preceding reign and fled to [[France]] were recalled, and their property was restored to them. A ''[[Constitutio Romana]]'' was then agreed upon between the pope and the emperor in 824 which advanced the imperial pretensions in the city of Rome, but also checked the power of the nobles. This constitution included the statute that no pope should be consecrated until his election had the approval of the Frankish emperor. It decreed that those who were under the special protection of the pope or emperor were to be inviolable, and that church property not be plundered after the death of a pope.<ref name=Mann/>

==Pontificate==

Seemingly before Lothair left Rome, there arrived ambassadors from Emperor Louis and from the Greeks concerning the controversy of [[Byzantine Iconoclasm]]. At first the iconoclast [[Eastern Roman Emperor]] [[Michael II]] showed himself tolerant towards the [[icon worshippers]], and their great champion, [[Theodore the Studite]], wrote to him to exhort him "to unite us (the Church of Constantinople) to the head of the Churches of God, Rome, and through it with the three patriarchs" and to refer any doubtful points to the decision of Old Rome in accordance with ancient custom. But Michael soon forgot his tolerance, bitterly persecuted the icon worshippers, and endeavoured to secure the co-operation of Louis the Pious. He also sent envoys to the pope to consult him on certain points connected with the worship of icons. Before taking any steps to meet the wishes of Michael, Louis asked the pope's permission for a number of his bishops to assemble and make a selection of passages from the Fathers to elucidate the question that the Greeks had put before them. The leave was granted, but the bishops who met at [[Paris]] in 825 were incompetent for the task. Their collection of extracts from the Fathers was a mass of confused and ill-digested lore, and both their conclusions and the letters they wished the pope to forward to the Greeks were based on a complete misunderstanding of the decrees of the [[Second Council of Nicaea]]. Their labours do not appear to have accomplished much; nothing is known of the result of their researches.<ref name=Mann/>

In 826 Eugene held an important council at Rome of 62 bishops, in which 38 disciplinary decrees were issued. The council passed several enactments for the restoration of church discipline, and took measures for the foundation of schools or [[chapter (religion)|chapter]]s. The decrees are noteworthy as showing that Eugene had at heart the advancement of learning. Not only were ignorant bishops and priests to be suspended till they had acquired sufficient learning to perform their sacred duties, but it was decreed that, as in some localities there were neither masters nor zeal for learning, masters were to be attached to the episcopal palaces, cathedral churches and other places to give instruction in sacred and polite literature. It also ruled against priests wearing secular dress or engaging in secular occupations. Simony was forbidden.<ref name=Brusher/> Eugene also adopted various provisions for the care of the poor, widows and orphans, and on that account received the name of "father of the people".

To help in the work of the conversion of the North, Eugene wrote commending [[St. Ansgar]], the Apostle of the [[Norsemen|Scandinavians]], and his companions "to all the sons of the Catholic Church".<ref name=Brusher/>

== Death and legacy ==
Eugene II died on 27 August 827. It is supposed that he was buried in [[Old St. Peter's Basilica|St. Peter's]] in accordance with the custom of the time, even though there is no documentary record to confirm it.<ref name=Mann/> He was succeeded by [[Pope Valentine|Valentine]], with whom he had been so close that rumours circulated that Eugene was Valentine's father or lover.<ref>DeCormenin, Louis Marie; Gihon, James L., ''A Complete History of the Popes of Rome, from Saint Peter, the First Bishop to Pius the Ninth'' (1857), p. 217-218</ref>

Coins of Eugene II are extant bearing his name and that of Emperor Louis. As pope, Eugene beautified his ancient church of St. Sabina with [[mosaics]] and metalwork bearing his name that were still intact as late as the 16th century.<ref name=Mann/>

==References==
{{Portal|Biography|Christianity|History}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/01_01_0824-0827-_Eugenius_II.html Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Latina with analytical indexes]
{{Catholic|wstitle=Popes Eugene I-IV}}

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{{s-ttl|title=[[Pope]]|years=824–827}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Pope Valentine|Valentine]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Popes}}
{{Catholicism}}
{{History of the Catholic Church}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eugene 02}}
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Italian popes]]
[[Category:827 deaths]]
[[Category:9th-century archbishops]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:9th-century popes]]
[[Category:Burials at St. Peter's Basilica]]