Pius I

About Pius I

Pius I was Pope from around 140-155 AD, during the reigns of Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. His brother Hermas wrote "The Shepherd of Hermas," an early Christian apocalyptic work. Pius's pontificate dealt with early heresies: he opposed Valentinus, a Gnostic teacher in Rome, and Marcion, who rejected the Old Testament and created his own biblical canon. Pius defended orthodox teaching against these distortions. He reportedly established Easter as a Sunday celebration (though this is debated) and may have organized aspects of Roman liturgy. Tradition holds Pius was martyred, though evidence is limited. He was buried on Vatican Hill near Peter. His defense of orthodox faith against early heresies helped preserve apostolic teaching in a critical period.