Saint Symmachus

Saint Symmachus (born, Sardinia—died July 19, 514, Rome; feast day July 19) was the pope from 498 to 514. Apparently a Christian convert, Symmachus was an archdeacon in the Roman Church when elected to succeed Pope Anastasius II. Concurrently, a minority had elected, with the support of a strong Byzantine party, the archpriest Laurentius. Both candidates were consecrated on Nov. 22, 498, and their respective parties appealed to the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great, whose...