POPE #90
Pope St. Gregory III
The 90th Pope of the Catholic Church
St. Gregory III
Pope St. Gregory III was the last Syrian-born pope and one of the greatest defenders of sacred images during the Byzantine Iconoclast Controversy. He courageously opposed Emperor Leo III’s campaign against the veneration of holy images and became the first pope to formally condemn Iconoclasm in a Roman synod.
His pontificate also marked a turning point in European history. As Byzantine military protection in Italy weakened, Gregory increasingly sought help from the Frankish Kingdom, laying the groundwork for the future alliance between the papacy and the Carolingians.
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Explore This Pope
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Quick Facts
Overview
Pope St. Gregory III was the last Syrian-born pope and one of the greatest defenders of sacred images during the Byzantine Iconoclast Controversy. He courageously opposed Emperor Leo III’s campaign against the veneration of holy images and became the first pope to formally condemn Iconoclasm in a Roman synod.
His pontificate also marked a turning point in European history. As Byzantine military protection in Italy weakened, Gregory increasingly sought help from the Frankish Kingdom, laying the groundwork for the future alliance between the papacy and the Carolingians.
At the same time, he continued supporting missionary work under St. Boniface, helping Christianity flourish throughout Germany.
Early Life
Gregory was born in: Syria Little is known about his early years.
He received an excellent education in: Sacred Scripture, Theology, Greek, Latin, Canon Law, Sacred Liturgy.
Eventually he came to Rome, where his learning, holiness, and administrative skill brought him into the service of the Roman Church.
He became widely respected among the clergy for: wisdom, humility, pastoral charity, fidelity to Catholic tradition.
Becoming Pope
Following the death of St. Gregory II, Gregory was elected Bishop of Rome.
He was consecrated on: March 18, AD 731 His election was enthusiastically received by the Roman clergy and faithful.
Almost immediately, he faced the growing crisis caused by the Byzantine emperor’s attack on sacred images.
Defending Sacred Images
Emperor: Leo III the Isaurian continued expanding his campaign against: icons, religious paintings, sacred mosaics, statues used in Christian devotion.
Gregory firmly defended the Church’s traditional practice.
He taught that sacred images: proclaim the mystery of the Incarnation, instruct believers, encourage devotion, honor Christ and His saints, while making clear that Christians worship God alone.
The Roman Synod of AD 731
One of Gregory’s greatest achievements came shortly after his election.
He convened: The Roman Synod of AD 731 Attended by numerous bishops, the synod formally condemned: Iconoclasm It also declared that anyone who deliberately destroyed sacred images or rejected their proper veneration separated himself from the communion of the Church.
This was one of the strongest papal responses to Iconoclasm before the Second Council of Nicaea (AD 787).
Conflict with Emperor Leo III
Leo III responded harshly.
He confiscated papal territories in: Sicily, Calabria, parts of the Balkans.
He also transferred several dioceses from papal authority to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
These actions significantly reduced Byzantine cooperation with Rome and accelerated the growing separation between the papacy and the Eastern Empire.
The Lombard Threat
While conflict with Constantinople intensified, Italy also faced pressure from: King Liutprand of the Lombards.
Gregory attempted diplomacy but eventually sought military assistance from the: Frankish Kingdom He appealed to: Charles Martel the powerful Frankish ruler.
Although Charles did not intervene militarily, Gregory’s correspondence marked the beginning of the historic alliance between the papacy and the Franks that would later flourish under Pepin the Short and Charlemagne.
Supporting St. Boniface
Like his predecessor, Gregory continued supporting: St. Boniface He granted Boniface the pallium as Archbishop and encouraged him to: organize German dioceses, reform clergy, found monasteries, strengthen communion with Rome.
Through Gregory’s support, Christianity spread rapidly throughout Central Europe.
Beautifying Rome
Gregory restored numerous churches and enriched Roman worship.
One of his notable projects was the construction of: An Oratory in St. Peter’s Basilica dedicated to: All Saints He decorated it with relics and sacred images, offering a visible witness against Iconoclasm.
Historical Context
Political Leaders Emperor Leo III the Isaurian Expanded the Byzantine Iconoclastic movement.
Confiscated papal territories after Gregory condemned Iconoclasm.
King Liutprand Powerful Lombard ruler whose expansion threatened Rome.
Charles Martel Frankish ruler whose friendship with the papacy began a new chapter in European history.
The Church
During Gregory’s pontificate: Iconoclasm intensified, Rome formally condemned the destruction of sacred images, missionary work flourished in Germany, relations with the Byzantine Empire deteriorated, ties with the Franks began strengthening.
Challenges
Iconoclasm Gregory became one of the strongest early defenders of sacred images.
Political Isolation
As Byzantine protection weakened, Gregory sought new allies without compromising the Church’s independence.
Major Contributions
- Ninetieth Pope of the Catholic Church
- Convened the Roman Synod of AD 731 against Iconoclasm
- Defended the proper veneration of sacred images
- Continued supporting St. Boniface’s missionary work
- Strengthened the future alliance between the papacy and the Franks
- Built the Oratory of All Saints in St. Peter’s Basilica
- Preserved Catholic tradition during a period of imperial hostility
Interesting Facts
- Gregory III was the last Syrian-born pope in Church history.
- He was the first pope to formally condemn Iconoclasm in a Roman synod.
- He built an Oratory of All Saints inside St. Peter’s Basilica adorned with sacred images.
- He continued the missionary work of St. Boniface in Germany.
- His appeals to Charles Martel helped begin the alliance that would later unite the papacy with the Carolingian rulers.
- He is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Legacy
Pope St. Gregory III courageously defended one of the central truths of the Christian faith: that because the Son of God truly became man, He may rightly be depicted in sacred art. His vigorous opposition to Iconoclasm preserved the Church’s understanding of the Incarnation and prepared the way for the definitive teaching of the Second Council of Nicaea (AD 787).
Equally significant was his farsighted diplomacy. As Byzantine support for Rome diminished, Gregory turned to the emerging Frankish kingdom for assistance. This decision laid the foundation for the alliance that would eventually produce the Papal States, the coronation of Charlemagne, and the reshaping of medieval Christian Europe. His leadership bridged the end of the ancient world and the beginning of a new era in the history of the Church.
Did You Know?
Pope St. Gregory III decorated a new Oratory of All Saints in St. Peter’s Basilica with numerous sacred images and relics while the Byzantine emperor was ordering images destroyed throughout the East. His actions were a bold public witness that the Church honored images not as idols, but as visible reminders of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints. This courageous stand anticipated the teaching of the Second Council of Nicaea, which would later affirm the proper veneration of sacred images.
Why St. Gregory III Matters
Pope St. Gregory III was one of the Church’s greatest defenders of sacred tradition during the first Iconoclastic crisis. By condemning the destruction of holy images, strengthening the missionary work of St. Boniface, and forging new relationships with the Frankish rulers, he safeguarded both the faith and the future independence of the papacy. His pontificate marks a pivotal transition from reliance on the Byzantine Empire to the emergence of medieval Christendom centered on the partnership between Rome and the Christian kingdoms of the West.
CatholicG33k Historical Highlight
The Last Syrian Pope and the Birth of Medieval Europe
When Emperor Leo III ordered the destruction of sacred images, Pope St. Gregory III responded not by removing them, but by decorating St. Peter’s Basilica with even more images honoring Christ and the saints. At the same time, recognizing that Byzantine protection of Rome was fading, he appealed to the Frankish leader Charles Martel for assistance. Although immediate military aid did not come, Gregory’s outreach began a historic relationship that would eventually lead to the rise of the Carolingian Empire, the coronation of Charlemagne, and the establishment of the medieval papacy as a major spiritual and cultural force in Europe.
Sources and Further Study
Scripture References
- Exodus 25:18-22
- John 1:14
- Matthew 16:18-19
- Matthew 28:19-20
- John 21:15-17
- Hebrews 12:1
- 1 John 5:21
Primary Historical Sources
- Sacred Scripture (Douay-Rheims Bible)
- Liber Pontificalis
- Letters of Pope St. Gregory III
- Correspondence with St. Boniface
- Acts of the Roman Synod of AD 731
- Contemporary Byzantine chronicles concerning Emperor Leo III
- Early Frankish sources relating to Charles Martel
Timeline
Born in Syria
Consecrated Pope
Roman Synod condemns Iconoclasm
Supports St. Boniface's German missions
Appeals to Charles Martel for assistance
Dies in Rome