Died: 154 A.D.
How do we know he was pope?
A second-century document called the Muratorian Fragment — which also contains the oldest known list of New Testament books — reads, “in our times, while bishop Pius … was occupying the chair of the church of the city of Rome.” St. Irenaeus also lists Pius I in Adversus haeresis (surprise, surprise).
Give me the scoop on Pius I.
Pius had a brother named Hermas, who was the author of a famous early Christian work called The Shepherd. He may also have known St. Polycarp, a disciple of St. John (yes, THE St. John). His feast day is July 11.
What was he known for?
Like his predecessor St. Hyginus, St. Pius had to deal with those pesky heretics, Cerdo and Valentinus, as well as their buddy Marcion. Cerdo and Valentinus were Gnostics, teaching a system that basically pitted matter and spirit against each other (as opposed to matter and spirit being both good gifts of God).
But Marcion was a special kind of heretic. After hearing that Marcion preached the existence of two gods, only one of which was the father of Jesus, St. Pius said, “Not in my house!” (we’re paraphrasing) and excommunicated him.
Fun Fact…
Pius I was the only “Pope Pius” for over 1300 years until Pius II was elected in 1458. It’s easily the longest stretch between popes sharing the same name in the history of the papacy.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
Around 150 A.D., the earliest known atlas, Geography, was produced by Ptolemy.
Coming Monday….Pope St. Anicetus
Can’t get enough papal history?
Click here to list to The Popecast, a short podcast about popes from the author of Popes in a Year.
SOURCES (and further reading)
- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12126b.htm
- http://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pius-I
- http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103303.htm
- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09645c.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_I