and in 1965 PopePaul VI(1963–78) confirmed them as such. Rome’s primacy was also fostered by its manymartyrs, its defense of orthodoxy, and its status as the capital of the Roman Empire. By the end of the 2nd century, Rome’s stature was furtherbolsteredby thePetrine theory, which...
during the first two centuries ofChristianitythere was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays ofmartyrsor, for that matter, of Jesus. Numerous Church Fathers offered sarcastic comments about the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays when, in fact, saints and martyrs should be honoured on the days...