"The Great" Popes

St. Leo I (the Great)

St. Gregory I (the Great)

St. Nicholas I (Often Called 'the Great')

Also Try: "Great" Popes: When a Pope Should Be & Should Not Be Called Great (User-Submitted Article)

"The Great" Popes

Supreme Pontiff

Detail 

(dates*, ages, prior name, feast, comment/attributes, etc.)

45. St. Leo I (the Great)

Birth Date: late 4th century

Beginning of Reign: Late 440

End of Reign: November 10, 461

Date of Death: November 10, 461

Approx. Age at Beginning of Reign: N/A

Lived to Approx. Age: N/A

Approx. Length of Reign: Approx. 21 years

Feast Day (if applicable): November 10

Doctor of the Church and first pope (of two) to be called "great". Promoted and asserted papal primacy. Personally persuaded Attila the Hun to withdraw from Italy. Known for famous 'Tome' asserting the two natures in Christ.

64. St. Gregory I (the Great)

Birth Date: c. 540

Beginning of Reign: September 3, 590

End of Reign: March 12, 604

Date of Death: March 12, 604

Approx. Age at Beginning of Reign: 50

Lived to Approx. Age: 64

Approx. Length of Reign: Just over 13.5 years

Feast Day (if applicable): September 3 / March 12

Doctor of the Church, second pope (of two) to be called "great", and first pope who was a monk. Relative of two previous popes (Felix II and Agapitus). Converted his mansion to a monastery of which he was a monk until called from his severely ascetic life (which is blamed for the ruination of his health). After trying to refuse the papacy, he was reluctantly consecrated pope. He negotiated peace treaties with the Lombards, extended the patronage of the Roman See, promoted monasticism, enforced clerical celibacy, defended papal primacy, and wrote voluminous works. He is credited with codification of the Roman Canon and is associated with the sacred music treasure, Gregorian Chant.

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Often Called 'the Great'...

Supreme Pontiff

Detail 

(dates*, ages, prior name, feast, comment/attributes, etc.)

106. St. Nicholas I

Birth Date: c. 820

Beginning of Reign: April 24, 858

End of Reign: November 13, 867

Date of Death: November 13, 867

Approx. Age at Beginning of Reign: 38

Lived to Approx. Age: 47

Approx. Length of Reign: Approx. 9.5 years

Feast Day (if applicable): November 13

Maintained and boldly asserted his papal primacy. Remained firm against repeated attempts at coercion. Defended the sanctity of marriage. Encouraged missionary work. The schism between the East and West may be dated from his pontificate. He is often called St. Nicholas "the Great".

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