Anterus

Saint Anterus was born in Petilia Policastro in Calabria, Italy, the son of Romulus, and was likely of Greek origin. His very name has led some to think he may once have been a freed slave—an early sign of how the Church gathered saints from every station of life. In a time of turmoil, he succeeded Pope Pontian, who had been exiled to Sardinia along with Hippolytus, and Anterus took up the heavy pastoral burden of guiding the Church in Rome during the persecutions under Emperor Maximinus the Thracian. Though his pontificate lasted only a few weeks, tradition remembers his zeal for honoring the witnesses of Christ. He is associated with a renewed strictness in collecting and preserving the acts of the martyrs, safeguarding their testimony for the faithful. He also appointed a bishop for the city of Fondi. Anterus died on January 3, 236, and was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of Callixtus on the Appian Way. He is venerated as patron of Casalbuono. His feast day is January 3.