St Marcellinus

Who he was

Marcellinus, a Roman, was elected on 30 June 296 and led the Church for eight years. In the years of peace he had new burial chambers made in the Catacomb of St Callistus. Then came the great persecution of Diocletian, from 303, which brought much confusion to the Church in Rome.

What he is remembered for

He died in 304, most likely a natural death. Stories later circulated that he had weakened under persecution and then repented and been martyred; St Augustine rejected the charges, and the truth cannot now be known. His tomb in the Catacomb of Priscilla was venerated from early times, and his feast is 26 April.

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

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1907-14): Pope Saint Marcellinus
• The Holy See: list of the Supreme Pontiffs