Pope from 514-523, successor to St. Symmachus, Hormisdas was born in Frosinone, Campagna di Roma, Italy. He was an Italian, although he had a Persian name. His Persian name was probably given in honor of an exiled Persian noble, Hormizd, celebrated in the Roman martyrology (August 8).

Married and widowed prior to ordination, he succeeded St. Symmachus on July 21, 514. One of his great achievements was the ending of the Acacian Schism which had divided the Eastern and Western Churches since 484.

The Church in Constantinople was reunited to Rome in 519 as a result of the confession called the Formula of Hormisdas. This document was signed by Patriarch John of Constantinople and 250 Eastern bishops. Hormisdas also received Laurentian schismatics into the Church and secured the acceptance of the Tome of Leo I and the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon and the recognition of the authority of the Holy See over the universal Church.

Saint Hormisdas died in office on August 6, 523 around the age of 73. His death is presumed to be due to natural causes. He is buried in the portico of St. Peter’s.

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