Zachary (Pope)

Initially, Zechariah was a Benedictine monk in the Lateran , then, under Gregory III , he became Cardinal Deacon. The Langobard War, which began under Pope Gregory III, was concluded with a 20-year peace treaty. In exchange for 4 cities, the pope gave the army of the king of the Langobards for war with the duchy of Spoleto and Benevento . He had a great influence on the policies of the Lombard kings Liutprand and Rathis . He led an extensive correspondence with the missionary Boniface , the educator of Germany.

In 751, he renewed relations with the Franks . Duke Pepin the Short , having decided to occupy the throne of the Franks and free his people from the oath to the weak-willed King Childeric III , sent a letter to the pope asking whether it is correct that a person who has no power should rule the state, or who in reality has levers authorities. Zechariah told him that the source of all, including the royal, power lies with the people themselves, but this right of the people is subject to the approval of the pope. Thus, the Pope agreed to overthrow the last of the King of Merovingian and the accession of Pepin III the Short.

Zechariah decorated many basils of Rome with silk fabrics that were spread on thrones or hung between columns that divided the churches into naves. He paid great attention to the settlement of the empty Campania . He translated the dialogues of Gregory the Great into Greek.

Buried in Rome, the memory is celebrated by Catholics on March 22.

• Korelin MS Zakharia I // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron : in 86 tons (82 tons and 4 extras). - SPb. , 1890-1907.