On this day, December 22. 401, Inocent I was elected bishop of Rome. Born in 380 AD, he is remembered for his efforts to assert the primacy of the Roman See. He acted as an arbitrator in ecclesiastical disputes across both the Eastern and Western parts of the Christian world. He confirmed the authority of the Archbishop of Thessalonica over Eastern Illyria and intervened in disciplinary matters in regions like Spain and France, insisting that important issues be forwarded to Rome
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He defended St. John Chrysostom, the exiled Patriarch of Constantinople, against his deposition, although this did not lead to Chrysostom’s immediate reinstatement due to resistance from the Eastern Emperor
Innocent I played a significant role in the Pelagian controversy, where he supported the African synods’ condemnation of Pelagianism, which denied original sin and emphasized human free will over divine grace.
He corresponded with St. Jerome, defending him against Pelagian attacks at Bethlehem, and with other bishops to resist heresy.
Innocent I contributed to the development of canon law. He is credited with closing the canon of the Bible in 405 AD by sending a list of sacred books to the Bishop of Toulouse, which matched the later Council of Trent’s canon.
His papacy occurred during a tumultuous period with the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410 AD. Although Innocent was not in Rome during the sack as he was negotiating peace with Emperor Honorius, he returned to lead the Church through this crisis, providing spiritual leadership and comfort.
Pope Innocent I left a legacy of strengthening the central authority of the Roman See and defending orthodox Christian doctrine against heresies.
