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Name:
Pope Lucius I
Preceded by: St. Cornelius (251 - 253)
Succeeded by: St. Stephen I (254 - 257)
Roman Catholic Pope #22
Antipope: Novatian (251 - 258)
Dates:
Born: ? (Rome, Italy)
Died: March 5, 254
Pope: June 25, 253 - March 5, 254 (8 months)
Feast Day: March 4
Biography:
Not very much is known about Pope Lucius I, but he was caught in the persecutions
of Christians under Emperor Trebonianus Gallus and exiled from Rome for a time
just after his election. After Gallus died and Valerian became emperor, the situation
for Christians improved and many of those who were exiled managed to return,
including Lucius.
A letter from Cyprian to Lucius suggests that Lucius maintained a tolerant attitude towards Lapsed Christians, those who denied their faith under the threat of persecution. Many, however, wanted to treat them more harshly and this debate led to the rise of an antipope, Novatian, towards whom Lucius apparently made no concessions.
Because he was not killed for his faith he was never declared a martyr for the Church. However, he did suffer in exile for his faith and, as a consequence, he is regarded as a Confessor.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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