Who he was
Gelasius called himself Roman-born, while the Liber Pontificalis calls him African, which may mean he was of African descent. Before his election he drafted many documents for Pope Felix III. He reigned only four and a half years, living simply, praying and studying, and died having given almost everything away to the poor.
What he is remembered for
He held firm against Constantinople during the Acacian Schism and wrote to the emperor that the world is ruled by two powers, the sacred authority of bishops and the power of kings, a letter quoted for centuries afterwards. He abolished the pagan Lupercalia festival in Rome, enforced the fourfold division of Church income, with one share for the poor, and wrote prayers for the liturgy; many of his decrees passed into canon law. He was among the most prolific writers of the early popes.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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