Pope Anterus
Pope Anterus was the bishop of Rome from November 235 to January 236. He is known for his brief pontificate during a period of persecution and for his potential martyrdom, although this is debated by scholars. He is remembered for ordering greater strictness in collecting the acts of martyrs.
- Feast Day
- January 3
- Century
- 3rd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Anterus was the son of Romulus and was born in Petilia Policastro, Calabria, Italy.
- ›He succeeded Pope Pontian, who had been deported from Rome.
- ›He created one bishop for the city of Fondi.
- ›Some scholars believe Anterus was martyred, while others doubt this and suggest he died in undramatic circumstances.
- ›He was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of Callixtus.
- ›His remains were later moved to the Church of Saint Sylvester in the Campus Martius.
Antheros
About Pope Anterus
Pope Anterus, whose name in Classical Greek was Antheros, served as the bishop of Rome from November 21, 235, until his death on January 3, 236. He was the son of Romulus and was born in Petilia Policastro, Calabria, Italy. Anterus is believed to have been of Greek origin, and his name may suggest he was a freed slave.
Life and Ministry
Anterus succeeded Pope Pontian, who had been deported from Rome to Sardinia along with the antipope Hippolytus. During his short pontificate, Anterus created one bishop for the city of Fondi. His tenure occurred during a period of persecution under Emperor Maximinus the Thracian.
Death and Veneration
There is scholarly debate regarding the circumstances of Anterus's death. Some historians suggest he may have been martyred because he ordered greater strictness in the examination and collection of the acts of martyrs by the notaries appointed by Pope Clement I. Conversely, other scholars doubt this, believing it is more probable that he died in undramatic circumstances during the ongoing persecutions.
Anterus was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of Callixtus, located on the Appian Way in Rome. His tomb was discovered by Giovanni Battista de Rossi in 1854, who found broken remnants of his Greek epitaph, with only the Greek term for bishop still legible. His ashes were later transferred to the Church of Saint Sylvester in the Campus Martius, where they were found on November 17, 1595, when Pope Clement VIII rebuilt the church.
Commemoration
Pope Anterus is commemorated liturgically on January 3 in the Catholic Church and on August 18 in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pope Anterus the bishop of Rome?
Pope Anterus served as the bishop of Rome from November 21, 235, until his death on January 3, 236.
Where was Pope Anterus born?
Anterus was born in Petilia Policastro, Calabria, Italy. He is thought to have been of Greek origin.
Was Pope Anterus martyred?
Some scholars believe Anterus was martyred, possibly due to his order for greater strictness in recording the acts of martyrs. However, other scholars doubt this and suggest he may have died from natural causes during the persecutions under Emperor Maximinus the Thracian.
Where was Pope Anterus buried?
Pope Anterus was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of Callixtus, located on the Appian Way in Rome. His tomb's site was rediscovered in 1854.
When is Pope Anterus's feast day?
Pope Anterus is remembered in the Catholic Church on January 3 and in the Russian Orthodox Church on August 18.
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