A Roman who became pope at the end of the fourth century, he upheld orthodox faith in the controversy over Origen's teachings during his brief reign. Saint Jerome praised his holiness and poverty, and Saint Augustine was among his friends.
Life
Saint Anastasius I, a Roman, led the Church for a short time, from 399 to 401. Not much is known of his life, but letters of the Church Fathers of that time give us some glimpses of him.
In the controversy over the writings of Origen he took a position condemning some of his teachings, and he sent encouragement to the Church in North Africa regarding the Donatist problem. Saint Jerome praised him as a holy pope who loved poverty, and he was also a friend of Saint Paulinus of Nola. He died in 401, and the Church remembers him on December 19.
Spirituality
Pope Anastasius's spirituality is a shepherd's responsibility for the truth of faith together with a simple life. In his brief pontificate he cared for the Church's unity amid doctrinal controversy, and his saintly contemporaries remembered him as a holy man who loved poverty.
Reflection
His saintly contemporaries remembered Pope Anastasius as a lover of poverty. How would I like to be remembered by the people around me?