Background
Celestine I was born in 380. He was a Roman from the region of Campania. Nothing is known of his early history except that his father's name was Priscus. He is said to have lived for a time at Milan with St. Ambrose.
Celestine I was born in 380. He was a Roman from the region of Campania. Nothing is known of his early history except that his father's name was Priscus. He is said to have lived for a time at Milan with St. Ambrose.
Saint was elected pope in 422. He espoused the cause of St. Cyril of Alexandria against Nestorius of Constantinople, threatening Nestorius with excommunication unless he retracted within ten days his errors in regard to relationship of personality and natures in Christ. At the Council of Ephesus (431), which was called to decide the controversy, Celestine was represented by legates. Nestorius was condemned by the majority of the council, but because of political rivalry between Alexandria and Constantinople the discussion continued. Celestine sent St. Germanus of Auxerre to Brittany to combat Pelagianism, and during his pontificate St. Palladius and St. Patrick began the evangelization of the Irish. St. Celestine died on 26 July 432. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Priscilla in the Via Salaria, but his body, subsequently moved, now lies in the Basilica di Santa Prassede. His feast day is July 27.
Quotes from others about the person
St. Vincent of Lerins reported in 434:
"Holy Pope Celestine also expresses himself in like manner and to the same effect. For in the Epistle which he wrote to the priests of Gaul, charging them with connivance with error, in that by their silence they failed in their duty to the ancient faith, and allowed profane novelties to spring up, he says: "We are deservedly to blame if we encourage error by silence. Therefore rebuke these people. Restrain their liberty of preaching. "
