Saint Innocent I
Saint Innocent I (born c. 360 AD in Albano Laziale, Lazio, Italy; died March 12, 417 AD in Rome, Italy) was Pope from 401 to 417 AD — one of the most forceful early popes in asserting the primacy of the Roman see. He corresponded with Augustine and Jerome, condemned the Pelagian heresy, and witnessed the catastrophic Sack of Rome by Alaric's Visigoths in 410 AD. He is a major figure in the development of papal authority and in the liturgical history of the Latin Church. His feast day is March 12.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Innocent I
| Saint Innocent I | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | March 12 |
| Profession | Bishop of Rome (Pope); ecclesiastical administrator; theologian; diplomat |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; 40th Pope; Bishop of Rome 401–417 AD |
| Patronage | Rome; the papacy; those facing barbarian invasion; the Church in crisis |
| Attributes | Papal vestments and tiara; pen and decretal letters (his correspondence); burning city (the Sack of Rome) |
| Birthplace | Albano Laziale, Lazio, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died as Pope, March 12, 417 AD; buried at the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome, Italy — he is buried here; one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome; the basilica is one of the oldest in Rome |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast March 12; observed in Rome and in some religious communities |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; locally observed |
Biography
Innocent I was born around 360, probably in Albano near Rome. He succeeded Pope Anastasius I in December 401 and governed the Roman Church for sixteen years until his death in March 417.
His pontificate was one of the most consequential in the early Church. He corresponded voluminously with bishops throughout the West and East on matters of doctrine, liturgy, and discipline, consistently insisting that major questions — especially theological controversies — required Roman confirmation. His decretals are among the most important early papal documents.
Key events of his pontificate:
- The Sack of Rome (410):** When Alaric the Visigoth besieged Rome in 408, Innocent personally led an embassy to the Emperor at Ravenna seeking military help. He was away from the city when it was sacked on August 24, 410 — an event that shocked the entire Roman world and prompted Augustine to write The City of God.
- The Pelagian Controversy:** Two African councils (Carthage and Milevis, 416) sent their condemnations of Pelagius and Caelestius to Rome for confirmation. Innocent replied with strong decretals affirming the condemnations and condemning Pelagianism. Augustine, writing to a colleague, celebrated: Already two councils have sent to the Apostolic See; from thence also rescripts have come. The case is finished.
- John Chrysostom:** When John Chrysostom was unjustly deposed from Constantinople (404), Innocent championed his cause and refused communion with the Eastern bishops who had condemned him, a courageous but ultimately unsuccessful effort.
He died on March 12, 417 and was buried at the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Albano Laziale, Lazio, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: His see as Bishop of Rome and Pope (401–417); he governed from the Lateran Palace; one of the most important early popes in the development of papal primacy; he corresponded with Augustine, Jerome, and the leading theologians of his age on matters of dogma, liturgy, and Church governance (Rome, Italy (Lateran Basilica))
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Innocent I have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Powerful Prayer to Saint Innocent I | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Prayer to Saint Innocent I | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| The Story of Saint Innocent I : Protector of the Church and Defender of Truth | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| The Story of Saint Innocent I | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| The Story of St. Innocent I || Feast Day : July 28 | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Lives of Pope Saint Innocent I, Saint Maximilian the Martyr, Saint Eulogius and More | 15–30 minutes | Leyendas De Santos |
| The Life and Legacy of Pope Saint Innocent I: Defender of the Faith and the Authority of the Church | Under 5 minutes | Leyendas De Santos |
| Saint Innocent I, Pope July 28th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
| The Life and Legacy of Pope St Innocent I Defender of the Faith & Church Authority #catholicsaint | Under 5 minutes | Saints Stories |
| The Lives of Pope St Innocent I, St Maximilian Martyr, St Eulogius & More | Saints' Stories | 15–30 minutes | Saints Stories |
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome — his burial place; one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome.
Feast day
March 12
Veneration
Saint Innocent I is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on March 12. He is one of the most important early popes in the history of papal primacy.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.