Eleutherius | |
---|---|
Bishop of Rome | |
15th century portrayal of St. Eleutherius from the Gallery of the Palazzo Farnese | |
Church | Catholic Church |
Papacy began | c. 174 |
Papacy ended | 189 |
Predecessor | Soter |
Successor | Victor I |
Personal details | |
Born | |
Died | 189 Rome, Italy, Roman Empire |
Sainthood | |
Feast day | 26 May |
Pope Eleutherius (Greek: Ελευθέριος; died 24 May 189), also known as Eleutherus (Greek: Ελεύθερος), was the bishop of Rome from c. 174 to his death.[1] His pontificate is alternatively dated to 171–185 or 177–193.[2] He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.
He is linked to a number of legends, one of them credited him with receiving a letter from "Lucius, King of Britain", but which is now generally considered to be a forgery.