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Icon of St. Symmachus, Pope of
Old Rome (+ 514)
Feast: July 19
Born on Sardinia, son of
Fortunatus, Symmachus was baptized in Old Rome, where he became
archdeacon of the Church under Pope Anastasius II. Symmachus was
elected pope on Nov. 22, 498. The archpriest of Santa Prassede,
Laurentius, was elected pope that same day, by a dissenting minority
faction with Byzantine sympathies. At a synod at Rome on March 1, 499,
it was decided that any clergyman who sought to gain votes for a
successor to the papacy during the lifetime of a living Pope, or who
called conferences and held consultations for that purpose, should be
deposed. St. Symmachus was later accused of various crimes, but cleared
of the charges. Nevertheless, Laurentius was installed as pope in the
Lateran
palace. The schism went on for four years until Laurentius lost support
and Symmachus finally prevailed.
St. Symmachus sent large sums
of money for the support of the Orthodox bishops of Africa who were
persecuted by the rulers of the Arian Vandals. He also aided the
inhabitants of upper Italy who suffered from barbarian invasions.
Liturgically, St. Symmachus is
noted for blessing the addition of the Angelic Hymn (Gloria in
Excelsis) to the Holy Liturgy of the Roman rite, on Sundays and feast
days. This Liturgy, with this addition, is celebrated to this day
within portions of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Holy Father Symmachus, pray to
God for us!
Icon is a mosaic from the
Church of St. Agnes Outside the Walls (fuori le muri).
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