ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL
Saints celebrated on the 27th of April
SAINT ANASTASIUS I., POPE AND CONFESSOR
(Some calendars commemorate St Anastasius on December 19.)
Saint Anastasius was by birth a Roman, and had, by many combats and labours, acquired a high reputation for his virtues and abilities. He succeeded Siricius in the papacy, in 398.
"A MAN OF A HOLY LIFE"
St Jerome calls him a man of a holy life, of a most rich poverty, and endued with an apostolic solicitude and zeal. He exerted himself in stopping the progress of Origenism. When Rufinus had translated the dangerous books of Origen, On the Principles, he condemned that translation as tending to weaken our faith, built on the tradition of the apostles and our fathers, as he says in his letter on this subject, to John, bishop of Jerusalem. As to Rufinus, he leaves to God his intention in translating this work.
HE EXERTED HIMSELF IN STOPPING ORIGENISM
In this epistle he calls all people and nations scattered over the earth, the parts of his body. He sat three years and ten days, dying on December 14, 401. St Jerome says, that God took him out of this world lest Rome should be plundered under such a head: for in 410, it fell into the hands of Alaric the Goth. The remains of this holy pope have been often translated: the greater part now rest in the church of Saint Praxedes. The Roman Martyrology commemorates his name on this day, which is probably that of one of these translations.
Source: Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Anastasius, Pope, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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