(A.D. 752.)
[Roman Martyrology, and those of Ado, Maurolycus, and Notker, on March
14th, so also Molanus in his additions to Usuardus. Authority:--His
life by Anastasius the Librarian.]
Zacharias, a Greek by birth, the son of Polychronius, was educated with
care in every science. He went to Rome, where he was ordained priest,
at a time when the eternal city was subject to constant alarms from
the Lombards. Luitprand, king of the Lombards, ill satisfied because
Gregory III. extended his favour to Thrasymund, duke of Spoleto,
laid siege to Rome, and did not retire till his troops had pillaged
the church of S. Peter, which the Goths had hitherto respected. At
this moment, just as Gregory had asked help of Charles Martel against
Luitprand, the see became vacant through his death.
Zacharias was elected to the throne of S. Peter. The innocence of
his life, and the vigour of his understanding, were accompanied by a
natural kindliness which fascinated all with whom he was brought in
contact. He was consecrated on November 19th, 741, nine days after the
death of his predecessor, and nine days before his interment. Resolved
to expose himself to everything for the sake of his people, Zacharias
sent a nuncio to king Luitprand with a letter overflowing with
expressions of courtesy and respect, which so touched the barbarian,
that he gave token of being disposed to negotiate with the new pontiff.
Zacharias knew how to profit by the opportunity; he went, accompanied
by many of his clergy, to Terni, in Umbria, and met king Luitprand, who
received him with the utmost courtesy. He concluded a treaty with him,
released his prisoners, recovered to the Holy See the towns that had
been taken, and on the morrow assisted at the ordination of a bishop
for Terni, which took place in the Church of S. Valentine. The ceremony
produced a lively effect upon the Lombards, many of whom wept. After
the ordination, the pope invited the barbarian prince to dinner, and
gave him his blessing; Luitprand is reported to have observed that he
had never enjoyed a dinner so much.
Zacharias was afterwards the means of procuring peace for many of the
distressed states and cities of Northern Italy. Luitprand was succeeded
by Hildebrand, who only reigned seven months; and the Lombard throne
was then filled by Rachis, duke of Forli, who concluded a peace of
twenty years with all Italy.
Zacharias now turned his attention to the discipline of the Church,
which had become much relaxed by the troubles that had fallen on the
land. He encouraged S. Boniface in his mission to Germany. In the
East he laboured to soften the violence of the emperor Constantine
Copronymus, who opposed sacred images and pictures in churches.
Pepin, mayor of the palace, who was master of France, under the shadow
and name of Childeric III., sent Burchard, bishop of Wurtzburg,
and Fulrad, abbot of S. Denys, to Zacharias to consult him on the
accomplishment of his ambition, the assumption for himself of the crown
of France from the heads of the "Faineant" race. Zacharias, who desired
help and protection against the Lombards, not content with approving
his design, wrote secretly to Pepin urging him not to refuse the crown
which Providence extended to him; at the same time his more cautiously
worded epistle to the Frank nobles on the subject did not a little
serve towards determining them to place the sovereignty in the bold,
firm hand of the mayor. For, without recommending the deposition of
Childeric, or the election of Pepin, Zacharias urged that "he who had
the power in fact ought to be the king." This was enough for Pepin.
Every one considered this expression to be an approval of the design;
the election of Pepin was regarded as approved by heaven; and he was
crowned at Soissons the year following, by Boniface, archbishop of
Mentz. This coronation took place on May 1st; Zacharias did not live to
see it, for he died on the preceding March 3rd. The day of his burial
in the Church of S. Peter, March 15th, is that on which the Church
honours his memory.
March 16.
SS. HILARY, _B.M._, TATIAN, _D.M._, FELIX, LARGUS AND DIONYSIUS, _MM.
at Aquileja_, A.D. 285.
S. JULIAN OF ANAZARBUS, _M. in Cilicia_.
S. PAPAS, _M. in Lycaonia, circ._ A.D. 300.
S. AGAPITUS, _B. of Ravenna, circ._ A.D. 340.
S. COLUMBA, _V.M. in England_.
S. ANINAS, _H. on the banks of the Euphrates_.
S. HESYCHIUS, _B. of Vienne, in France, 5th cent._
SS. ABRAHAM, _H._, AND MARY, _P., his niece, in Syria, 6th cent._
S. FINAN THE LEPER, _Ab. of Inisfathlen, in Ireland, circ._ A.D. 610.
S. BONIFACE QUIRITINE, _B. of Ross, in Scotland, 7th cent._
S. EUSEBIA, _Abss. of Hamage, circ._ A.D. 680.
S. GREGORY THE ARMENIAN, _B.H. at Pluviers, in France, 11th cent._
S. HERIBERT, _Archb. of Cologne_, A.D. 1021.