This week in Christian history: Irish saint dies, first American Lutheran pastor ordained, Anastasius becomes pope
Pope Anastasius I begins his reign – Nov. 27, 399
This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Anastasius I, believed to be the only pontiff in Catholic Church history to have a son who would succeed him, began his reign.
According to the scant records from the time period, Anastasius is believed to have been married at a young age and had a child before his wife died. At the time, the Catholic Church did not have a strictly enforced celibacy policy for clergy.
Anastasius I served only two years as pope before his death, focusing on raising awareness of persecuted Christians in North Africa and denouncing the writings of early church theologian Origen.
“Origen is now considered an Early Church Father, but back then, he was a highly controversial figure,” explained Pope History. "Pope Anastasius I was so concerned with Origen’s writings he held a conference on the matter where bishops from all over came to Rome to debate the issue.”
Soon after his death, his son was elected head of the Catholic Church and took the name of Pope Innocent I.
