Antipope Ursicinus

Ursinus ( † after 384 ) was 366-367 anti-bishop of Rome.

When Pope Liberius had died on 24 September 366, there was a double election. Already at 355 Felix Liberius II was elected as anti-bishop. Therefore, there were two major factions within the Church, who continued the 355 resulting schism. The followers of Liberius selected 366 Ursinus, the former supporters of the 365 deceased against Bishop Felix II Damasus I as the successor to Pope.

In particular, the partisans of Damasus ' raised a veritable army of (consisting of Katakombenarbeitern and teamsters ) and fought with the Ursinianern bitter and bloody street battles in Rome. Given the strength and brutality took the State executive in the person of pagan prefect Vettius Agorius Praetextatus party for Damasus and Ursinus was and his followers from Rome distribute.

A year later they were allowed to come back under the emperor Valentinian I.. However, they had to promise to keep the peace with the other party. Nevertheless, there does not seem surprising that the fighting between gangs of both obediences flared up again soon. These new struggles led to banishment Ursinus ' to Gaul (November 16, 367).

The followers of the counter- bishop retreated to northern Italy, where they unsuccessfully campaigning for their Pope and tried to judicial means to retrieve Ursinus. When Pope Damasus I in December 384 died, rose again Ursinus claims to the papal throne. However, choosing the Siricius made ​​further attempts of Ursinianer futile.

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