Pope Saint Zachary
Greek-born pope who brokered peace with the Lombards and backed Boniface
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Pope
- Life
- d. 752
- Era
- 8th century
- Feast
- 15 March
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Zachary was born into a Greek family in Calabria, in southern Italy; according to the Liber Pontificalis his father was named Polychronius. Before his election he was probably a deacon of the Roman Church. He was chosen after Pope Gregory III was buried on 29 November 741 and was consecrated on 5 December of that year. His biographer describes him as a gentle man who sought agreement.
He met the Lombard king Liutprand at Terni and persuaded him to return the cities of Ameria, Horta, Polimartium and Blera, along with Church property seized over the previous thirty years. He also obtained a twenty-year truce for the Roman duchy. When Liutprand threatened Ravenna, Zachary travelled to Pavia and persuaded him to drop the attack. In 742 he confirmed the sees of Würzburg, Büraburg and Erfurt at Boniface's request and made him a papal legate. In 743 he presided over a Roman synod of about sixty bishops.
When envoys of Pepin asked whether a man without royal power should be king, Zachary answered that this did not seem right, and Pepin was afterwards made king of the Franks. He restored many Roman churches and the Lateran palace, gave alms regularly, and bought Christian slaves whom Venetian merchants meant to sell to Saracens in Africa. He also translated the Dialogues of Pope Gregory the Great into Greek. He died in March 752 and was buried in St. Peter's; the Roman Martyrology keeps his memorial on 15 March.
Works and witness
- Persuaded Liutprand to return four cities and agree to a twenty-year truce
- Went to Pavia to stop the attack on Ravenna
- Confirmed German sees and named Boniface legate in 742
- Bought Christian slaves whom Venetian merchants meant to resell in Africa
- Had Gregory the Great's Dialogues translated into Greek
Saints from the same country
References
- New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia (1912), 'Pope St. Zachary', newadvent.org/cathen/15743b.htm
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.