Litany of Saints
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Marcellinus

Pope and bishop of Rome (tenure 296-304)

SaintResearchedPre-congregation

Feast: 26 April (1962 Missal, III class) · not on the current Roman calendar

Born
296
Died
304
Beatified
not needed: before formal processes
Canonised
By tradition
recognised before formal processes began

Who they were

Marcellinus, a Roman, was elected bishop of Rome on 30 June 296 and reigned eight years. Little is known of his activity: in his time new burial chambers were made in the catacomb of St Callixtus. Diocletian's great persecution broke out in 303, bringing great confusion to the Roman Church, and Marcellinus died in its second year, 304.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Marcellinus has been honoured as a saint since the early Church.

Why that counted as sanctity

Marcellinus led the Roman Church in the years before and into the last great persecution.

Connected on this site

  • Augustine of Hippo Saint
    “The claim is rejected by others, including Augustine of Hippo.” — Wikipedia
Sources

Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.

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