Marcellus I

Pope, son of Benedict, a Roman priest, succeeded Marcellinus (q.v.) as bishop of Rome (according to Pagi, June 30, 308), but held that position only during eighteen months. He endeavored to restore ecclesiastical discipline, which had become much relaxed during the persecutions. For this purpose he organized in Rome twenty dioceses, the incumbents of which were to administer to converts from heathenism the sacraments of baptism and penance. They were also bound to attend to the burial of the martyrs. By command of Maxentius, who had ordered him to resign his office of bishop and to sacrifice to idols, he was imprisoned, and condemned to serve as a slave in the imperial stables. After nine months he was freed by his clergy, and concealed in the house of a Roman matron named Lucinia, who, it is said, converted that house afterwards into a church. Maxentius was so angry when he heard of it that he commanded the church to be turned into a stable, and condemned Marcellus to the lowest employment about the stables. Marcellus is said to have died a martyr. He is commemorated on the 16th of January. — Herzog, Real- Encyklop. 9:21; Pierer, Universal-Lexicon, 10:855. (J. N. P.)