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Pope Saint Julius I
Image: Hugo DK · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Pope Saint Julius I

Pope who defended Athanasius in the Arian dispute

Rank
Saint
Kind
Pope
Life
d. ~352
Era
4th century
Feast
12 April
Countries
Italy
Italy

Life story

Julius was a Roman, the son of a man named Rusticus. After Pope Mark died the see of Rome stood empty for about four months, and Julius was elected on 6 February 337. Later that year Emperor Constantine the Great died on 22 May; his son Constantine II allowed Bishop Athanasius, who was in exile, to return to Alexandria. Arian bishops in Egypt set up a rival bishop, Pistus, and sent envoys to Rome asking Julius to recognise him, while Athanasius also sent envoys to give his side.

Bishops of the Eusebian party met at Antioch, elected George of Cappadocia in place of Pistus, and Athanasius was exiled again and came to Rome; Bishop Marcellus of Ancyra also came to Rome after being removed by the Arian party. Julius invited the Eastern bishops to a synod, but they refused. In 340 or 341 a Roman synod under his presidency examined the documents, declared Athanasius and Marcellus innocent, and restored their episcopal rights. In his letter to the Easterners he faulted their absence and recalled that, by custom, Rome should have been written to first.

Julius also took part in preparing the Council of Sardica (342 or 343), sending the priests Archidamus and Philoxenus and the deacon Leo as his representatives; the Eastern bishops met separately and left. In 346 Athanasius returned to Alexandria. Julius built two basilicas in Rome, now Santa Maria in Trastevere and the church of the Twelve Apostles, and three churches over cemeteries outside the city. He died on 12 April 352 and was buried in the catacomb of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way; his body was later moved to Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Works and witness

  • Elected on 6 February 337
  • Presided over a Roman synod in 340 or 341 that cleared Athanasius and Marcellus
  • Sent representatives to the Council of Sardica (342 or 343)
  • Built the basilicas now called Santa Maria in Trastevere and the Twelve Apostles
  • Died on 12 April 352

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

  • New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia (1910), 'Pope Saint Julius I', newadvent.org/cathen/08561a.htm

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.