St. Martin I – Pope, Martyr, and Defender of the Faith

ST. MARTIN POPE

St. Martin I was the Pope from 649 to 655 and is remembered for his strong defense of orthodoxy against the Monothelite heresy. He was arrested and exiled by the Byzantine Emperor, suffering greatly before dying in captivity. He is honored as a martyr and the last pope to be recognized as such.

Pope Martin I was born in what is now Italy around the year 590. He was highly educated and served as a papal envoy before being elected pope in 649. During his papacy, he strongly opposed the Monothelite heresy, which claimed that Christ had only one divine will rather than both a human and divine will. This heresy had gained political support, especially from the Byzantine Emperor Constans II.

In an effort to maintain the true doctrine, Pope Martin I convened the Lateran Council of 649, which condemned Monothelitism. His bold stance angered the emperor, who sent troops to arrest him in 653. Martin was forcibly taken to Constantinople, where he was publicly humiliated, imprisoned, and mistreated. After enduring severe hardships, he was exiled to Cherson (in present-day Ukraine), where he suffered from poor health and lack of basic necessities.

Despite his suffering, Pope Martin I remained steadfast in his faith. His letters from exile reveal a man resigned to God’s will yet deeply concerned for the Church and his followers. He died on September 16, 655, as a martyr for the faith.

Pope Martin I is the last pope to be officially recognized as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated on April 13 in the Roman Catholic Church.

Feast Day

13-4-

Birth Date

--c. 590

Died Date

16-9-655

Canonised Date

--

Cherson, Crimea (modern Ukraine)

"Saint Martin, holy Pope and servant of God, Guide us with your wisdom and compassion, Help us to remain steadfast in faith, And lead us to live with humility and love. Intercede for us, that we may grow closer to Christ, Through your example of service and devotion. Amen."
ST. MARTIN POPE

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ST. MARTIN POPE

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