Nicholas I, Pope, Saint
Nicholas I, Pope, Saint
(Greek: victor of the people)
Reigned from 858 to 867. Born in 825 in Rome, Italy; died there. Elected after the disintegration of the empire of Charlemagne , he found Christianity threatened by laxity in the observance of moral and civil law. To uphold Divine and Church law against princes and worldly bishops , he protected the minor clergy and suffragan bishops against their exactions. He upheld the right of appealing to Rome, against the decisions of Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims; defended the integrity of the marriage bond against Lothair II; and supported Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople against, the intruder, Photius. Feast , Roman Calendar, 13 November .