St. Victor I

St. Victor I was, by tradition, a native of Roman Africa and served as Bishop of Rome from about the year 189 until his death around 199, during the reign of the emperor Septimius Severus. He is remembered as the first pope of African origin and as a vigorous leader who asserted the authority of the Roman see in the affairs of the wider Church.

His pontificate is marked above all by the Quartodeciman controversy over the date of Easter: Victor insisted that the whole Church, including the ancient churches of Asia Minor, celebrate the Lord's resurrection on a Sunday rather than on the fixed day of the Jewish Passover, and he did not hesitate to threaten excommunication to secure unity of practice, though he was urged toward moderation by St. Irenaeus. He is also credited by tradition with promoting the use of Latin in the Roman liturgy. Long venerated as a saint and traditionally counted among the martyrs, he is commemorated on 28 July.