April 13: Pope Saint Martin I

April 13 marks the feast day of Pope Saint Martin I (died 655), the last pope to be considered a martyr for the faith. Little is recorded about Saint Martin’s early life, other than he was born in Umbria, Italy, and served as a high diplomatic representative to Constantinople. Saint Martin was, in fact, the last pope who was elected from a position as a diplomat, securing the separation of the Church from ties to governments and leaders.


Saint Martin assumed the papacy in 649. He had a reputation for both intelligence and virtue, although was frail and somewhat ill of constitution. At the time Saint Martin was elected, Constantinople, under the leadership of Emperor Constans II, was the most powerful and influential government—influencing both politics and the doctrine of the Church. Prior to Martin’s assumption of the papacy, Constans II had issued an edict in support of the theory of Monothelism—the belief that Christ had no human will, only divine will. The Church considered this a heretical belief, but had been silenced by the power of Constantinople, and forbidden to even discuss the will of Jesus Christ.

Upon election, the first thing that Martin I did was convene a council at Lateran, during which he condemned the emperor and made clear the heretical nature of the Monothelistic doctrine of faith. Saint Martin asserted the Church’s belief that just as Christ had two natures—that he was simultaneously human and divine-- that he also had two wills-- both human and divine. In the written statement, Saint Martin wrote, "The Lord commanded us to shun evil and do good, but not to reject the good with the evil."

Of course, Constans II was infuriated by this affront to his authority. He sent soldiers to Rome to “escort” Saint Martin to Constantinople. Saint Martin, already quite ill at that time, was arrested without resistance, and placed on a ship. By the time the ship landed, he was much sicker—too weak to stand unsupported-- but rather than being allowed an audience with the Emperor, or even given a trial, he was summarily thrown into prison, where he remained for three months. During this time, Saint Martin contracted dysentery from both the poor sanitation and rancid food he was provided. From his cell, he wrote many letters, including the one excerpted below:

“At all times in our letters we have desired to encourage you in your charity and to alleviate any anxiety you may have for us, as we have for all the saints and all our brothers who share this concern for us in the Lord. But now I am writing to you of things which do oppress us, and I speak the truth in the name of Christ our God.

I have not been allowed to wash, even in cold water, for forty-seven days. I am wasted away and frozen through, and have had no respite from dysentery. The food that is given me makes me feel sick. I hope that God, who knows all things, will bring my persecutors to repentance after He will take me out of this world. As to this wretched body, God will have care of it. He is at hand. Why should I trouble myself? I hope in His mercy that He will not prolong my course.

I have been amazed and continue to be amazed at the lack of perception and the callousness of those who were once connected with me, both my friends and my relatives. They have all completely forgotten about my unhappy state, and do not care to know where I am, whether I am alive or dead.

But God wishes all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth through the prayers of Peter. Hence I pray that God will strengthen their hearts in the orthodox faith, help them to standfirm against every heretic and enemy of the Church, and guard them unshaken.”

True to his writings, there was little support from his former friends or from the Church as a whole, subsequent to his imprisonment. The emperor, following a brief trial during which the saint requested that the “witnesses” against him be excused so as not to be forced into bearing false witness, was sentenced to death. Following three more months of imprisonment, he was led to the town square to be hanged, but the residents of Constantinople came to his defense, and the Emperor commuted the sentence. Rather than death, Saint Martin was exiled to Crimea, where he lived the remainder of his days in poverty and ostracism.

While the six years of his life during which he served as pope were difficult, multiple miracles have been reported at his tomb in death. Pope Martin I is regarded as a courageous and gallant saint, who altered the course of history by confronting heresy and worldly power, despite his failing health. Saint Martin never distanced himself from the true faith, proclaiming the beliefs of the Church at a time when it was dangerous to do so, and living the virtuous life of a solder of the Lord. At a time in our history where the Church is the recipient of much public negative sentiment, can we say the same about ourselves?

Merciful God, our Father,

neither hardship, pain, nor the threat of death

could weaken the faith of Saint Martin.

Through our faith, give us courage

to endure whatever sufferings the world may inflict upon us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.



Day 103 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Courage and Steadfastness in the teachings of the Church; For Church leaders.
Requested Intentions: Healing from a chronic illness (J); Deepening of faith and true conversion for a family (J); Successful employment (H); Restoration of a marriage (J); For a friend’s daughter, seeking medical treatment for a blood disorder (D); For the grace and conversion of a loved one (Z); For a beloved son’s return to the faith (A); For the improved health and recovery of a mother (G); For health, blessings, and protection (K); For an improvement in a difficult employment situation (T); For a family member’s recovery from surgery (D); For the victims of an automobile accident (D); For peace of mind and health (J); For the love of a romantic partner (S).