Saint of the Day – 19 July – St Pope Symmachus (Died 514) Bishop of Rome from 22 November 498 until his death. Born in Sardinia and died in Rome, both in modern Italy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, Pope St Symmachus, who for a long time had much to bear from a faction of schismatics. At last, distinguished by Holiness, he went to God.”
Symmachus was a native of Sardinia and a convert to Christianity, He entered religious life and became the Archdeacon of the Roman Church under Pope Anastasius II, whom he succeeded in November 498.
His reign is remembered chiefly for what has usually been called the Laurentian schism, named for his rival Laurentius, the Archpriest of Santa Prassede, who had been elected as the anti-pope by his supporters. For close to ten years (for some of which he actually occupied the Lateran Palace while Symmachus operated from an Episcopal residence on the Vatican Hill.
During his Papacy, Symmachus erected the round Chapel dedicated to St Andrew next to the old St Peter’s and a Basilica over the graveof St Pancras in the Cemetery of Octavilla. He built several or restored, several Churches.
Symmachus expenditure was immense in support of the Church in Vandal-ruled and officially Arian north-west Africa. His grant of the Pallium to Archbishop St Honorius of Arles, is the earliest known instance of such an award outside of Italy.
Symmachus died on 19 July 514 and was buried in St Peter’s Basilica. He had ruled for 15 years, 7 months,and 27 days.
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