# Eleuterus

> bishop of Rome from c. 174 to 189

**Wikidata**: [Q101090](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101090)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Eleutherius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eleuterus

## Summary
Eleuterus, also known as Pope Eleutherius or Saint Eleutherius, was the bishop of Rome from approximately 174 to 189 CE. He is recognized as one of the early popes of the Catholic Church and is noted for his contributions to the development of early Christian doctrine and leadership during a formative period in the Church’s history.

## Biography
- Born: Date and place not specified in the source material
- Nationality: Unknown
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Serving as the bishop of Rome from c. 174 to 189
- Employer(s): Catholic Church (as Bishop of Rome)
- Field(s): Religious leadership, early Christian theology
(Information in this section is based on available historical and encyclopedic references.)

## Contributions
- Led the Church of Rome during a critical era of early Christianity.
- Oversaw the development of early Christian traditions and responses to heresies.
- Contributed to the establishment of early papal authority and structure.
- No specific published works or formal theological contributions are cited in the source material.

## FAQs
### What role did Eleuterus play in the Catholic Church?
Eleuterus served as the bishop of Rome from approximately 174 to 189 CE, leading the Church during a foundational period in early Christianity. He is recognized as one of the early popes and is venerated as a saint in the Catholic tradition.

### What is known about Eleuterus's time as bishop?
His papacy is associated with early efforts to define and defend Christian teachings, particularly in response to heretical movements such as Montanism and Quartodecimanism.

### Is Eleuterus recognized in any religious traditions?
Yes, Eleuterus is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, and his feast day is commemorated in the liturgical calendar.

### Are there any surviving writings attributed to Eleuterus?
No known writings directly attributed to him survive, but his leadership during his time as bishop contributed to the early Church’s doctrinal and administrative development.

## Why They Matter
Eleuterus's papacy is significant for its role in the early institutional development of the Church of Rome. His leadership occurred during a time when Christianity was still defining its structure and doctrine, and his actions helped shape the early papal authority. His influence extended into later centuries through the traditions and precedents he helped establish, particularly in opposing heretical movements and reinforcing orthodoxy. His legacy is preserved in the Catholic Church’s recognition of him as a saint and a foundational figure in papal history.

## Notable For
- Serving as the 12th bishop of Rome.
- Being a key figure in the early development of papal traditions.
- His association with early Christian responses to theological controversies.
- Being venerated as a saint with feast days observed in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
- Having multiple aliases including Pope Eleutherius, Saint Eleutherius, and Eleuterio.
- Being referenced in multiple authoritative databases and encyclopedias including the *Catholic Encyclopedia* and various hagiographies.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Details about the early life of Eleuterus are not well-documented. Historical records from the period are sparse, and much of what is known about him comes from later ecclesiastical and hagiographical sources. His background, place of birth, and early education are not specifically recorded, which is common for figures from the early Christian era.

### Papacy and Leadership
Eleuterus became the bishop of Rome around 174 CE and served until his death around 189 CE. His papacy is noted for its role in guiding the Church through theological and administrative challenges. He is recognized for addressing early heresies such as Montanism and Quartodecimanism, which were movements that diverged from what the Church considered orthodox practices.

### Historical and Religious Context
During his time as bishop, the Christian Church was still in the process of defining its doctrines and establishing its structure. Eleuterus's leadership contributed to the early development of papal authority and the institutional identity of the Church of Rome. His tenure is often seen as part of the foundational period of the papacy.

### Veneration and Legacy
Eleuterus is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. His feast day is observed, and he is remembered for his contributions to the early Church's stability and growth. Though no writings directly attributed to him survive, his influence is seen in the traditions and structures that he helped to establish.

### Aliases and References
Eleuterus is known by several names and titles, including:
- Pope Eleuterus
- Saint Eleutherius
- Eleutherio
- Papst Eleutherus
- Pseudo-Eleutherius
- Pope St. Eleutheros
- Pope St. Eleutherius

He is referenced in numerous authoritative databases and encyclopedias, indicating his historical and religious significance:
- Wikidata lists him with the identifier Q1299088.
- The Catholic Encyclopedia and other scholarly resources recognize his contributions to early Christianity.

### Death and Commemoration
Eleuterus is believed to have died around 189 CE. He is commemorated as a saint in the Catholic tradition, and his legacy is preserved in the Church's historical memory. His papacy is seen as part of the lineage of early bishops who helped shape the institutional and doctrinal foundations of the Church of Rome.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/feb/13/popes-full-list)
2. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
3. Find a Grave
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Enciclopedia dei Papi
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. FactGrid
10. HMML Authority File