Name: Pope St. Martin I, Martyr
Feast Day: 12th November (pre-1962 liturgy); April 13th (post-1962 liturgy).
Relics: Basilica of San Martino ai Monti in Rome, Italy
Biography:
Pope St. Martin I, also known as Martin the Confessor, was born in Todi, Italy, in the 6th century. He was a Basilian monk before being elected as Pope in 649 AD and served as the Supreme Pontiff until his death in 655 AD.
Pope Martin I is known for his unwavering defence of orthodoxy, particularly in the face of the Monothelite heresy, which denied the full humanity of Jesus Christ. He convened the Lateran Council in 649 AD, which condemned the Monothelite heresy and affirmed the doctrine of the two wills of Christ – human and divine. Despite facing opposition and threats from political powers, Pope Martin I remained steadfast in upholding the teachings of the Church and defending the true faith.
However, his resolute stand against the Monothelite heresy led to his persecution by Emperor Constans II, who saw him as a threat to his political agenda. In 653 AD, Pope Martin I was arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to harsh treatment. He was eventually exiled to Constantinople, where he endured further mistreatment and suffering.
Despite his trials, Pope Martin I remained steadfast in his faith and continued to defend the teachings of the Church. Sadly, he succumbed to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment and died on September 16, 655 AD, becoming the last pope to be venerated as a martyr.
Pope Martin I’s feast day is celebrated on April 13th, commemorating his death. The relics of Pope St. Martin I are enshrined in the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti in Rome, Italy,