This is the Liturgy of the Hours for December 31. Your local date is .
May 18
Optional Memorial
Pope Saint John I was a Tuscan pope elected to the papacy in 523 A.D. In his time, Arian kings and Christian rulers were warring. Byzantine Emperor Justin I had recently declared an anti-Arian decree, Latin and Greek Churches had come to allegiance, and the Arian king, Theodoric the Great of the Ostrogoths and of Italy felt under attack. As king of the empire, Theodoric required Pope Saint John I to travel to Justin’s empire and to negotiate towards Arianism. Despite his protests, Pope Saint John I obliged and went to Constantinople with a huge entourage. Emperor Justin greeted him warmly, maybe even prostrating himself to the supreme pastor, and agreed to hear Theodoric’s requests. Neither Emperor Justin nor Pope Saint John I amended their beliefs towards Arianism; and sadly, when Pope Saint John I returned, Theodoric had him arrested under charges of conspiracy. Pope Saint John I died a martyr in prison from neglect and poor treatment. He is buried at the Basilica of St. Peter. [1]
Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “Pope St. John I””
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.