Pope Victor I

Victor I was pope from 189 to 199. He was born in Africa, and later came to Rome. He was later canonized.

His name is chiefly associated with a display of intolerance towards the bishops of Asia Minor for the view they took in the Quartodeciman controversy over the date for the celebration of Easter. He also excommunicated Theodotus of Byzantium for his beliefs about Christ.

Up until this time the language of the Mass celebrated in Rome was Greek. Victor, whose native language was Latin, changed it so that they celebrated the Mass in Latin, as was done in Northern Africa. According to Jerome, he was the first Christian author to write about theology in Latin.

Preceded by: Pope Eleutherius

List of popes

Succeeded by: Pope Zephyrinus