St Anterus

Who he was

Anterus was elected after St Pontian's resignation and reigned for only about forty days. The Greek epitaph on his tomb points to Greek origins.

What he is remembered for

The Liber Pontificalis says he was martyred for having the acts of the martyrs collected and kept in the Church's archives, though scholars find that tradition uncertain. He was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of St Callistus, where his tomb and Greek epitaph were found in 1854.

He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1907-14): Pope St. Anterus
• The Holy See: list of the Supreme Pontiffs