Laurentius (4)
Laurentius
(Latin: laurel-crowned)
Antipope , 498-505. An archpresbyter, he was elected by a faction of the Roman clergy in opposition to Pope Symmachus, after the death of Anastasius II. His supporters were in sympathy with the Byzantine party who hoped that he would approve the Henotikoli of Emperor Zeno. Both claimants appealed to Theodoric, King of the Goths who decided in favor of Symmachus. Laurentius submitted and was made Bishop of Nocera. He was excommunicated, 501, when he again put forth a claim to the See. Symmachus appealed to Theodoric once more. The latter banished the antipope and restored the churches he had unlawfully seized.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Laurentius
and pope, lived about 460-520. He was archdeacon of a Chlurch in Rome, and was opposed to Symmachus who in 498 was elected successor of Anastasius II in the papal chair. This schism created much disturbance in the city, Festus and Probinus, two of the most influential senators, siding with Laurentius. Both parties finally agreed to submit their difficulty to the decision of Theodoric, king of the Goths, though an Arian. He decided in favor of Symmachus, and Laurentins, having withdrawn his claim, was made bishop of Nocera. But as he subsequently created new disturbances, and was, whether justly or unjustly is not known accused of Eutvchianism, he was deposed by the Synodus Palmaris (501), and died an exile. See Anastasius, Vita Pontif.; Baronius, Annales; Plotina, Vita Pontif.: Roman.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 19:927. (J.N.P.)
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Laurentius (2)
a noted prelate of the early English Church (Anglo-Saxon period), flourished in the first half of the 7th century (A.D. 605) as successor of St. Augustine suggested for the archbishopric by Augustine himself. Under the reign of Eadbald, the successor of Ethelbert, when England was in danger of a return to heathenish practices by Eadbald’s marriage of his own mother-in-law, Laurentius shrewdly managed affairs for the benefit of Christianity; he induced the king to renounce his incestuous marriage, and to embrace the Christian faith. See Churton, Hist. Early in Engl. Church, page 41 sq.; Mosheim, Eccles. Hist. book 2. cent. 7, part 1, chapter 1, 2, and note (5).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Laurentius (3)
ST., according to tradition, was a disciple of pope Sixtus II (257-258), who received him among the seven Roman deacons, and afterwards made him archdeacon. When the pope, during the persecution of the Christians by Valerian, was led out to suffer martyrdom, Laurentius wished to accompany him, and to share his fate; but Sixtus prevented him, prophesying to him at the same time that he would be called upon to endure even greater sufferings for the cause of Christianity, and that he would follow him within three days. The omen was fulfilled; the Roman governor had heard of treasures belonging to the Christian Church, and wished to obtain possession of them. He desired Laurentius to reveal them to him. Laurentius seemed to comply, and was allowed to depart. Soon the courageous young disciple of Christ returned, accompanied by a crowd of paupers, cripples, and sick, whom he presented to the governor, saying, “These are our treasures.” This was regarded as an insult, and in punishment he was condemned to be slowly roasted alive in an iron chair. Laurentius underwent this martyrdom with resignation and cheerfulness. He is said to have been buried in the Via Tiburtina. The pope Leo I said of him that he was as great an honor to Rome as Stephen to Jerusalem, and Augustine that the crown of Laurentius can as little be hidden as the city of Rome itself. Under Constantine a church was erected over the place where his remains were supposed to be (Sti. Laurentii extra muros); another church dedicated to him is St. Laurentii in Damaso. He is commemorated on the 10th of August. The earliest accounts of his martyrdom are to be found in Ambros. De offic. ministr. 1:41; 2:28. The most glowing account of him is Prudentius’s Hymnn. in Laeur. (Prudentius, Peristeph.). Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 8:232; Wetzer und Welte, Kirchen-Lex. 6:365.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Laurentius (4)
a Scotch prel ate, was promoted to the see of Dunblane in 1160, and was witness to a charter to the abbey of Dunfermline. See Keith, Scottish Bishops, page 170.