Saint Eleutherius, the thirteenth Pope of the Catholic Church was born in Nicopolis, Greece around AD130. He succeeded Saint Soter and was elected in AD174. Pope Eleutherius reigned the longest among his predecessors, for a period of 24 years.

Before being elected as the Pope, Saint Eleutherius served Rome as a deacon under the Popes, Saint Anicetus and Saint Soter. He was elected as the pope, a few weeks after the demise of Saint Soter.

Marcus Aurelius was the emperor of Rome during his papacy. Though religious persecution was rampant, the situation in Rome was relatively tolerable.

Pope Eleutherius exhorted the Church through his pastoral epistle that Christians should not turn down food offered to them or food that was available to them as it came from God. Historians believe that this was his way of speaking out against those who followed other religious movements that included dietary laws such as the Jewish faith.

The reign of Pope Eleutherius is most notable for his fierce opposition to the heresy of Montanism, which was also opposed by his predecessor Saint Soter. Montanus, the founder of this heresy travelled about propagating his doctrine and came to Rome in the time of Pope Eleutherius.

Saint Irenaeus, the Patristic Father and bishop of Lyons came to Rome in AD177. He delivered to the Pope a letter from the clergy and laity of Lyons about the new school of Montanism and the resulting concerns in the Church. But failing to understand the danger lurking in the said heresy, he was not ready to condemn Montanism at that time. But then Pope Eleutherius, realizing the danger of Montanism and the insecurity created by the said study in the Church, took a stand against Montanus and his studies.

Tertullian, the Patristic Father, (who later adopted the heresy of Montanism) testifies that Pope Eleutherius condemned Montanism as a heresy and unequivocally declared the doctrine false.

Lucius, who was the king of Britain during the time of Pope Eleutherius, wrote a letter to the Pope expressing his willingness to repent and accept Christianity, and accordingly he sent missionaries to Britain according to some traditional stories. This story dates to at least the 8th century when an Englishman wrote about it in a book. The church is believed to have originated in Britain during the time of Pope Eleutherius pursuing this event.

Pope Eleutherius is believed to have passed away in AD198. There is no clear information about his death. The Church lists him as both a martyr and a saint. Camilla Peretti requested that the Church move the pope’s body in the 16th century. As she was the sister of Pope Sixtus V, the Church honored her request. His final resting place is in Santa Susanna.
-edit & trans. SM