St Marcellus I

Who he was

Marcellus was elected in 308, nearly four years after Marcellinus died, when the persecution in Rome had eased under Maxentius. He found the Church in disarray, its meeting places seized and its members divided over those who had fallen away.

What he is remembered for

He reorganised the Church in Rome into districts under priests and laid out a new cemetery on the Via Salaria. He insisted that the lapsed must do penance before being readmitted, which led to violent unrest, and Maxentius sent him into exile, where he soon died. Pope Damasus later honoured him in verse; his feast is 16 January.

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

Sources

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