On This Day

Anastasius II succeeds Gelasius I as Catholic Pope

Pope Anastasius II (died 19 November 498) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 496 to his death on 19 November 498.

Pope Anastasius II (died 19 November 498) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 496 to his death on 19 November 498. He was an important figure in trying to end the Acacian schism, but his efforts resulted in the Laurentian schism, which followed his death. Anastasius was born in Rome, the son of a priest, and is buried in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Anastasius II is one of only two popes in the first 500 years of church history not to be canonized a saint in the Catholic Church. Pope Liberius is also omitted from sainthood in the Catholic Church, although he is considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Historical Significance

Pope Anastasius II (died 19 November 498) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 496 to his death on 19 November 498.

Events Before

  1. New Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus marries Ariadne, widow of previous Emperor Zeno and daughter of Leo I

    New Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus marries Ariadne, widow of previous Emperor Zeno and daughter of Leo I

  2. Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, as Anastasius I - often called the first Byzantine Emperor

    Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, as Anastasius I - often called the first Byzantine Emperor

  3. Gelasius I elected Catholic Pope; in office until his death in 496

    Gelasius I elected Catholic Pope; in office until his death in 496

  4. Ostrogoten King Theodorik the Great beats Odoaker

    Ostrogoten King Theodorik the Great beats Odoaker

  5. King of the Ostrogoths, Theodoric the Great, murders King Odoacer of Italy with his sword at a banquet in Ravenna

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

Events After

  1. St. Symmachus begins his reign as Pope, replacing Anastasius II

    St. Symmachus begins his reign as Pope, replacing Anastasius II

  2. King Gundobar of Burgundy delegates royal power

    King Gundobar of Burgundy delegates royal power

  3. The Synodus Palmaris, called by Gothic King Theodoric the Great, discharges Pope Symmachus of all charges, thus ending t

    The Synodus Palmaris, called by Gothic King Theodoric the Great, discharges Pope Symmachus of all charges, thus ending the schism of Antipope Laurentius

  4. Alaric II, King of the Visigoths, promulgates the Lex Romania Visigothorum (or Breviary of Alaric), a collection of Roma

    Alaric II, King of the Visigoths, promulgates the Lex Romania Visigothorum (or Breviary of Alaric), a collection of Roman law

  5. 35 bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde, shedding light on the moral conditions of the clergy and lait

    35 bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde, shedding light on the moral conditions of the clergy and laity in southern France

More from the 490s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 24, 496?
Pope Anastasius II (died 19 November 498) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 496 to his death on 19 November 498. He was an important figure in trying to end the Acacian schism, but his efforts resulted in the Laurentian schism, which followed his death. Anastasius was born in Rome, the son of a priest, and is buried in St.
Why is Anastasius II succeeds Gelasius I as Catholic Pope significant?
Pope Anastasius II (died 19 November 498) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 496 to his death on 19 November 498.

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