Zachary

Saint Zachary was born around 679 in Santa Severina in Calabria, to a family of Greek origin. Serving the Church of Rome as a deacon, he became bishop of Rome in 741, the last pope of the Byzantine papacy, and guided the faithful through a perilous era with steady courage and pastoral charity. Zachary is remembered as a gifted peacemaker. When conflict threatened Rome and its neighboring cities, he dealt directly with the Lombard king Liutprand, whose respect for Zachary led to the return of seized territories and captives freed without ransom. He strengthened the Church’s mission in Germany through close counsel with Saint Boniface, confirming new dioceses and supporting reform, and he gathered a synod in Rome to curb misguided devotion that drifted into the worship of angels. He also defended sacred images by challenging imperial iconoclasm. His mercy shone in concrete deeds: he forbade the slave trade in Rome and paid to set captives free, and he built and restored churches, including Santa Maria sopra Minerva. He died in March 752 and was buried in Saint Peter’s Basilica. His feast day is March 15, and he is honored as patron of Saint-Zacharie.