Pope from July 14, 939 - October 942
Died: October 942
Give me the scoop on Stephen VIII.
A Roman by birth, Stephen served as priest of Sts. Sylvester and Martin prior to being pope. He was elevated to the Chair of Peter by Rome’s senator, Alberic II, in July of 939, but unfortunately had little autonomy during his three years in office. Like his two predecessors, Stephen also supported the monastic reform headed by St. Odo of Cluny. Little else is known about his life.
What was he known for?
Stephen VIII spent a lot of time dealing with uproar in what’s now Western France. There, many dukes were rebelling against the king, Louis IV. Louis sought the pope’s help, which he received in the form of Stephen sending representatives to the nobility telling them to shape up or ship out. This threat of excommunication from Stephen, though it took two tries, ending up working, and Louis was able to receive the support and unity he desired.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
The oldest-known King of Denmark, Gorm the Old, began his reign around the year 940. Apparently, his nickname “the Old” wasn’t so much that he was advanced in years, but instead came from him being the ancestral head of Denmark’s royal lineage.
Coming Monday...Pope Marinus II
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
Died: October 942
Give me the scoop on Stephen VIII.
A Roman by birth, Stephen served as priest of Sts. Sylvester and Martin prior to being pope. He was elevated to the Chair of Peter by Rome’s senator, Alberic II, in July of 939, but unfortunately had little autonomy during his three years in office. Like his two predecessors, Stephen also supported the monastic reform headed by St. Odo of Cluny. Little else is known about his life.
What was he known for?
Stephen VIII spent a lot of time dealing with uproar in what’s now Western France. There, many dukes were rebelling against the king, Louis IV. Louis sought the pope’s help, which he received in the form of Stephen sending representatives to the nobility telling them to shape up or ship out. This threat of excommunication from Stephen, though it took two tries, ending up working, and Louis was able to receive the support and unity he desired.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
The oldest-known King of Denmark, Gorm the Old, began his reign around the year 940. Apparently, his nickname “the Old” wasn’t so much that he was advanced in years, but instead came from him being the ancestral head of Denmark’s royal lineage.
SOURCES (and further reading)
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
Guruge, A. (2010). The Next Pope. New Hampshire: WOWNH
Pope Stephen VIII (IX) - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14290b.htm
Pope Stephen VIII (IX) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Stephen_VIII
Gorm the Old - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorm_the_Old
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Yes, it powers and sponsors Popes in a Year, but it's so much more than that. In fact, it's the smartest, most powerful communication tool a ministry can use for regular communication with its members. Invite your ministry to try it free!