Born in Tuscany (Italy), St John I joined the Roman clergy while he was still young. Soon, he was appointed archdeacon and, after the death of Pope St. Hormisden in 523, was chosen Pope. To Pope St John I goes the credit for the adoption of the Paschal Cycle of the Alexandrian Church in Catholic Liturgy and the custom of dating years from the Incarnation, rather than by the years of the reigning emperor.
Despite his protests, Pope John was sent by Theodoric the Great, the Arian king of the Ostrogoths in Italy, to Constantinople to secure the moderation of a decree, issued in 523, of Justin I, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, against the Arians. Emperor Justin received John honorably and promised to do everything the Pope asked of him.
Although John was successful in his mission, when he returned to Ravenna, Theoderic's capital in Italy, Theoderic had John arrested on suspicion of having conspired with Emperor Justin. Pope John was cast into prison, where he died of maltreatment not many days later, on 18 May 526. He was regarded as a martyr and buried in the Basilica of St. Peter. Like Jesus, Pope John suffered because of the suspicions of those threatened by his freedom and openness.
St. John I, pray for us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially in times of struggle and uncertainty.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
No comments:
Post a Comment