(A.D. 731.)
[Roman and other Western Martyrologies on this day, though he died
on Feb. 10th.]
S. Gregory II. was ordained sub-deacon by pope Sergius I., and under
the four succeeding popes he acted as treasurer and librarian to the
Church in Rome. When elected pope, he signalized himself by his
unwearied zeal in defending the pure faith against heresy, and in
combating the Iconoclasts who, protected by the Emperor Leo the
Isaurian, waged war against sacred pictures and images.
The tyrant sent officers on several occasions to murder the holy pope;
but he was so faithfully guarded by the Romans, that he escaped
unhurt. He held the pontificate fifteen years, eight months, and
twenty-three days, and died on Feb. 10th, 731.