Martin was born in the Italy, and considered a man of great intelligence, piety, and charity. He was serving as the papal envoy to Constantinople when he was elected pope in 649, upon the death of Pope Theodore. Before long, however, his desire to defend the true faith put him in conflict with a powerful ruler, Emperor Constans II, the head of the Byzantine Empire.

The saint suffered exile and humiliation for his defence of orthodoxy in a dispute over the relationship between Christ’s human and divine natures.

Although the Pope died in exile, in 655, his relics were later brought back to Rome. The Third Ecumenical Council of Constantinople eventually vindicated Pope St. Martin I, by confirming in 681 that Christ had both a divine and a human will.

Prayer

Grant, almighty God,

that we may withstand the trials of this world

with invincible firmness of purpose,

just as you did not allow your Martyr Pope Saint Martin the First

to be daunted by threats or broken by suffering,

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. martin pray for us