Pope Sabinian dies 606

walwyn Sun, 08/04/2013 - 10:32
Saturday, February 22, 0606

Pope Sabinian died on the 22nd of February 606, and was buried in St. Peter's in Rome. He was succeeded by Pope Boniface III.

Sabinian's papacy was marked by fears over Lombard invasion and famine. During the famine he sold grain to the people of Rome rather than giving it away for which he was accused of avarice.

He introduced the practice of bell ringing to mark the canonical hours and the celebration of the Eucarist. He also reversed the trend of Pope Gregory of placing monks in papal positions, and filled the posts from member of the secular clergy.