Stephen V (VI)

Stephen’s father, Adrian, who belonged to the Roman aristocracy, entrusted the education of his son to his relative, the bishop of Zechariah, the librarian of the Holy See. Under Pope Marina I, Stephen became Cardinal of the church of Santi-Quattro-Coronati .

It was consecrated in September 885 , without waiting for the imperial confirmation. However, when Charles III Fatty found out about the unanimous election of Stephen, he did not object.

During national disasters and droughts, he spent his father's legacy to help the poor, ransom of captives and repair of churches.

In his relations with Constantinople, Stefan adhered to the policy of Pope Nicholas I and resisted Byzantine influence. His criticism of the patriarch Photius finally had an effect, and the emperor Leo VI sent him into exile. At the same time, the pope asked the emperor to send warships and soldiers to help Rome repel the Saracen attacks.

After the death of St. Methodius of Moravia , the disciple of Methodius, Gorazd of Ohrid , became his successor. However, due to the influence of the German clergy, Stefan forbade the use of Slavic liturgy, which was one of the reasons why the Slavs joined the Orthodox Church. .

Stephen in 891 crowned his adopted son Guido III of Spoleto as emperor of the West. He also recognized Louis III the Blind as king of Provence. Since Aurelianus, the Archbishop of Lyons , did not ordain Teutbold, the lawfully elected Bishop of Langres , the Pope himself did.

Stephen was buried in the portico of St. Peter's Basilica.

• Konsky P.A. Stefan, the Popes // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron : in 86 tons (82 tons and 4 extras). - SPb. , 1890-1907.
• Richard P. McBrien, Lives of the Popes, (HarperCollins, 2000), 144.