Anastasius I

Pope, a native of Rome, succeeded Siricus about the year 398. He was a contemporary of St. Jerome, who speaks highly of his probity and apostolic zeal. He condemned the doctrine of Origen, and excommunicated Rufinus, who, in a controversy with Jerome, had been the advocate of Origen. Anastasius is said to have acknowledged that he did not understand the controversy. Rufinus wrote an apology, which is found in Constant's collection of the "Epistles of the Popes." Anastasius died in 402, and was succeeded by Innocent I. — Riddle, Hist. of Papacy, 1, 150; Baillet, under April 27.