Black Catholic History

The history of the Church is full of many Black / African Catholic saints, who received recognition for great deeds or meritorious conduct. Many lost their lives in defense of the faith. Many were also honored for their contributions to the Church and their community. There are 937 Black / African Saints.

St. Ammonius 3rd century
St. Anthony the Great of Thebes 3rd century
St. Augustine of Hippo 5th century
St. Aviates 1st century
St. Baamin 6th century
St. Barlaam 6th century
St. Basil 6th century
St. Basilissa 4th century
St. Bastmus 4th century
St. Beauch (Bagug) 4th century
St. Benedict the Black 16th century
St. Benjamin the Great of Nitra 16th century
St. Beshada (Abshadius, Psote) 16th century
St. Bessarian 16th century
St. Bessis 16th century
St. Beyoka (Bejoka) 16th century
Bidshimi 16th century
St. Bikabes (Bicabus) 16th century
St. Caecilia with Saturninus 16th century
St. Calendion 16th century
St. Calodote 16th century
St. Cantidianus 16th century
St. Carpias 4th century
St. Cassianus 4th century
St. Celsus 4th century
St. Cherimon 4th century
St. Cittinus 4th century
St. Claudianus 4th century
St. Cleopatra 4th century
St. Coliondola 4th century
St. Colluthus 4th century
St. Copres 4th century
St. Cordian 4th century
St. Cosmas 4th century
St. Crescens 4th century
St. Cronides 4th century
St. Cronius 4th century
St. Cynthinus 4th century
St. Cyriacus 3rd century
  St. Cyriacus 3rd century
St. Cyril of Alexandria 5th century
St. Cyriltus 5th century
St. Cyrus 5th century
St. Dabamoth (Dibamonia) 4th century
St. Damalius 4th century
St. Daniel 4th century
St. Datius 4th century
St. Datus 4th century
St. Demonsia 4th century
St. Deodatus 4th century
St. Diodorus 4th century
St. Dionysius 4th century
St. Dionysius the Deacon 4th century
Dionysius the Presbyter 3rd century
St. Dioscurus 3rd century
St. Dominicus 3rd century
St. Donatus 3rd century
St. Dorotheus of Gaza 7th century
St. Elasbaan 7th century
St. Elizabeth 7th century
St. Emilian 7th century
St. Entheus 7th century
St. Eraus Shaba 7th century
St. Eudoxia 7th century
St. Eudoxia at Canopus 7th century
St. Eugraphos with Hermogenes Menas, Alexandria Martyrs 7th century
St. Eumenes 7th century
St. Eupraxia 5th Century
St. Eusebius 5th Century
St. Eutropia 5th Century
St. Eutychus 5th Century
St. Evangelius of Alexandria 5th Century
St. Exuperius 5th Century
St. Fabianus 5th Century
St. Faustinus 5th Century
St. Felicissimus 5th Century
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity 3rd century
St. Fidentius 3rd century
St. Firma 3rd century
St. Florentius 3rd century
St. Forbinus 3rd century
St. Fortunatus 3rd century
St. Fugraphus 3rd century
St. Fulvianus 6th century
St. Gaius 6th century
St. Gelasius I 5th century
St. Gaudlosus the African 5th century
St. Gelatus 5th century
St. Generosa 5th century
St. Germanus 4th century
St. Givalius 4th century
St. Gorgias 4th century
St. Hagio 4th century
St. Heliodorus 4th century
St. Hemerion 4th century
St. Heraclas, Bishop, and Helladius 4th century
St. Heraclemon and others hermits of Kemet 4th century
St. Heradius and Zozimus 4th century
St. Herais 4th century
St. Heredina 4th century
St. Hermogenes of Alexandria 4th century
St. Heron 4th century
St. Hieroteus 4th century
St. Hilarion (Hilarianus) 4th century
St. Hilorian 4th century
St. Hippeas 4th century
St. Hiro 4th century
St. Honoratus 4th century
St. Honoratus 4th century
St. Hor 4th century
St. Hor (Anba Hor) 4th century
St. Hortulanus 4th century
St. Hypatius 4th century
St. Ibeion the Confessor 4th century
St. Ingenuus 4th century
St. Innocentius 4th century
St. Irais (Rhais) of Antinoe 4th century
St. Iraya (Herais), 4th century
St. Irenius of Kemet 4th century
St. Isaiah 4th century
St. Ischyrion 4th century
St. Jacob of Mahdjudh 4th century
St. James of Manug 4th century
St. Januaria 4th century
St. John 4th century
St. John the Dwarf 5th century
St. John of Shutp (Setes) 7th century
St. Joseph 7th century
St. Jucundianus 20th century
St. Julia 20th century
St. Julian of Anazarbus 5th century
St. Justus 5th century
St. Kapalichus 5th century
St. Kirdjun (ABAKERAZUM) 5th century
St. Laetantius 5th century
St. Laurence 5th century
St. Leomdas and Companions 5th century
St. Leucius of Alexandria 2nd century
St. Longinus 2nd century
St. Lot 2nd century
St. Lucius 2nd century
St. Lycarion 2nd century
St. Macarius 2nd century
St. Macarius of Fayum 2nd century
St. Macrina the Younger 4th century
St. Magnus 4th century
St. Majulus 4th century
St. Mammarius 4th century
St. Mansuetus 4th century
St. Marcus 4th century
St. Mark 4th century
St. Martin de Porres 17th century
Martyrs of Uganda 17th century
St. Monica 4th century
St. Montanus 4th century
St. Moses of Balkim 4th century
St. Moses the Ethopian 5th century
St. Mucus 5th century
St. Murrita 5th century
St. Nakjos 5th century
St. Narzalea 5th century
St. Nathaniel of Nitria 5th century
St. Nemesius 5th century
St. Neopulus (Neopolis) 5th century
St. Nestor 5th century
St. Nicephorus 5th century
St. Nicoforus 5th century
St. Nilaras 5th century
St. Nonnus 5th century
St. Oceanus 5th century
St. Oeconomus 5th century
St. Or 5th century
St. Orion 5th century
St. Orsisius 5th century
St. Pachomius 4th century
St. Pachomius the Younger 4th century
St. Paisi (Amba Isa) 4th century
St. Paisius and Isaias 4th century
St. Palaemon 4th century
St. Paliconus 4th century
St. Pallamon of Kemet 4th century
St. Palus 4th century
St. Pamin (Poemen) 4th century
St. Pamphamer 4th century
St. Panbis (Pambo) 4th century
St. Panekyris (Banikarus) 4th century
St. Panephysis 4th century
St. Panopus 4th century
St. Pansius 4th century
St. Pantaleon 4th century
St. Panubrius 4th century
St. Papas 4th century
St. Paphnutius 4th century
St. Paphnutius and 546 companions 4th century
St. Paphoutius 4th century
St. Papianus 4th century
St. Papocinicus 4th century
St. Parmenius (Parmenas) 4th century
St. Pastor 4th century
St. Patapios Of Thebes 4th Century
St. Patermuthius 4th Century
St. Patermuthius (Petarpemotis) 4th Century
St. Patricia 4th Century
St. Paulus 4th Century
St. Pausirius 4th Century
St. Pelagia 4th Century
St. Peleusius (Peleus) 4th Century
St. Pellammon 4th Century
St. Peroys 4th Century
St. Peter 4th Century
St. Peter the Patriarch 4th Century
St. Pethacus 4th Century
St. Petronius 4th Century
St. Petrus 4th Century
St. Phanuel 4th Century
St. Phaulios (Paul) of Tamawi 4th Century
St. Phileas 4th Century
St. Philemon the actor 4th century
St. Philip 4th century
St. Philocalus 4th century
St. Philoromus 4th century
St. Philosophus (Nicetas) 4th century
St. Phisocius 4th century
St. Phocas 4th century
St. Phoebammon 4th century
St. Photnia 4th century
St. Piamon (Piama) 4th century
St. Pimponia 4th century
St. Pinnatus 4th century
St. Pion 4th century
St. Pipenon and Companions of 22 4th century
St. Piru 4th century
St. Pistaurus 4th century
St. Pisura 4th century
St. Pitigon 4th century
St. Plais 4th century
St. Plebrius 4th century
St. Plenus 4th century
St. Plutarch 4th century
St. Poemen (Pamin) 4th century
St. Poleus 4th century
St. Polycarp 4th century
St. Pompinus 4th century
St. Pontius of Carthage 3rd century
St. Porphyrius 2nd century
St. Portus 2nd century
St. Possidus, Possidonius 2nd century
St. Potamioena, the Younger 2nd century
St. Potamion 2nd century
St. Potamon 2nd century
St. Praesens 2nd century
St. Prais 2nd century
St. Prima 2nd century
St. Primatius 2nd century
St. Primigenus 2nd century
St. Primulus 2nd century
St. Primus 2nd century
St. Privatula 2nd century
St. Probata 2nd century
St. Promus 2nd century
St. Prosdocus 2nd century
St. Proterius 2nd century
St. Psenosiris 2nd century
St. Psoes (Psoi) of Kemet 2nd century
St. Psote 2nd century
St. Ptolemachus 2nd century
St. Ptolemaeus 2nd century
St. Publius 2nd century
St. Publius of Kemet 2nd century
St. Quadratus 2nd century
St. Quartosilla 2nd century
St. Quinta (Cointa) 2nd century
St. Quintian 5th century
St. Quintus 5th century
St. Quirinus 5th century
St. Quodvultdeus 5th century
St. Rastanus 5th century
St. Reatrius 5th century
St. Recumbus 5th century
St. Regiola 3rd Century
St. Renus 3rd Century
St. Restituta 3rd century
St. Restitutus 3rd century
St. Rhais 3rd century
St. Rodus 3rd century
St. Rogatianus 3rd century
St. Romana 3rd century
St. Romulus 3rd century
St. Roys 3rd century
St. Rubra 3rd century
St. Rufina 3rd century
St. Rufus (Roux) 3rd century
St. Rusticianus 3rd century
St. Rutila, Claudia, and Auriga 3rd century
St. Rutinus 3rd century
St. Sabas 6th century
St. Sabellius (Abylius, Abitius, Milius) 6th century
St. Sabinas of Kemet 6th century
St. Saldia 6th century
St. Salusi (Abba Salusi) 6th century
St. Salvator 6th century
St. Sambacia 6th century
St. Samuel 6th century
St. Sanctina 6th century
St. Sanitius I (Shenudi) 6th century
St. Sanusi (Shenudi, Sanitius) 6th century
St. Sarah (Emma Sara) 6th century
St. Sarah of Scete 6th century
St. Sarapion 6th century
St. Sarmatas (Sarmata) 6th century
St. Satulus 6th century
St. Satura 6th century
St. Saturinus 6th century
St. Saturninus 6th century
St. Saturninus and nine companions 6th century
St. Saulus 6th century
St. Sebastian and Alverius 6th century
St. Secundianus 6th century
St. Secundinus 6th century
St. Secundus of Ventimiglia 6th century
St. Securus, Severus 6th century
St. Sektar 6th century
St. Selarianus 6th century
St. Seleucus �The Kemetian� 6th century
St. Senuthius of Buasti 6th century
St. Septimus, and Maximus 6th century
St. Serapamon 6th century
St. Serapio 6th century
St. Serapion 6th century
St. Serapion and Ammon 6th century
St. Serapion of Thmuis 6th century
St. Sergus 6th century
St. Sertza Hawaryat 6th century
St. Servulus 6th century
St. Severus 6th century
St. Severus of Alexandria 6th century
St. Shenuf(Chenoufe) 6th century
St. Shenute 6th century
St. Siddinus 6th century
St. Sidonius (Amba) 6th century
St. Silvanus 6th century
Simon of Cyrene 6th century
St. Simplicius 6th century
St. Siricius 6th century
St. Sisoes 6th century
St. Sobel 6th century
St. Sodon 6th century
St. Solutor 3rd century
St. Sophia and my daughter Dabamoth (Dibamonia) 3rd century
St. Sostras 3rd century
St. Statonica 3rd century
St. Stephen 3rd century
St. Stephen the Anchorite 3rd century
St. Stupur 3rd century
St. Successus 3rd century
St. Susita (Shenus) 3rd century
St. Symphorianus 3rd century
St. Syncletica of Alexandria 4th century
St. Tacla (Tecla) 4th century
St. Talida 4th century
St. Ten Disciples of Athenogenes 4th century
St. Terentius 4th century
St. Thais of Kemet 4th century
St. Thasius Cyprianus 4th century
St. Thenas? (The(o)nas?) 4th century
St. Theoctista 4th century
St. Theodocianus of Alexandria 4th century
St. Theodora 4th century
St. Theodore and 40 Others 4th century
St. Theodore, the Sanctified 4th century
St. Theodore of Emesa 4th century
St. Theodosius 4th century
St. Theodotion 4th century
St. Theodoxia (Eudoxia) 4th century
St. Theogenes 4th century
St. Theon 4th century
St. Theonas 4th century
St. Theophila 4th century
St. Theophilus 4th century
St. Theotimus (Theitimus) 4th century
St. Theoychus 4th century
St. Thomais 4th century
St. Thomas of Tanphot 4th century
St. Thyrsus 4th century
St. Tiburtinus 4th century
St. Timothy 4th century
St. Timothy 4th century
St. Timothy, the lector and wife, Maura 4th century
St. Timothy III 4th century
St. Tipasius (Typasius) 4th century
St. Tolosha 4th century
St. Tryphon 4th century
St. Tullianus 4th century
St. Turana 4th century
St. Tyrannus 4th century
St. Tytirus 4th century
St. Tzechina (Sahami) 4th century
St. Urbanus 4th century
St. Ursus and Victor 4th century
St. Valentine 4th century
St. Valeria 4th century
St. Variacus 4th century
St. Venusta 4th century
St. Verena 4th century
St. Verulus 4th century
St. Vestina 4th century
St. Victonnus 4th century
St. Victor 4th century
St. Victor of Assyut 4th century
St. Victoria 4th century
St. Victorianus 4th century
St. Victor Maurus (aka Victor the Moor) 4th century
St. Victor the Ninivite 4th century
St. Victor of Vilae 4th century
St. Vincent 4th century
St. Vincent of Digne 4th century
St. Vindemialis 4th century
St. Vindonius 4th century
Visa 4th century
St. Vitalis 4th century
St. Volitan 4th century
St. Wetukis (known as Eutychius) 4th century
St. Yared 4th century
St. Yohan Marcus 4th century
St. Yostima 4th century
St. Zacchaeus 4th century
St. Zacharias 4th century
St. Zaina (Zeina) 4th century
St. Zara Mariam 4th century
St. Zenas 4th century
St. ZerJacob 4th century
St. Zonticus 4th century
St. Zoticus 4th century

Black Catholic history can be traced to the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-40) when St. Philip the Deacon converted the Ethiopian eunuch – one of the first moves the Apostles made to evangelize outside Jerusalem and thus sow the seeds for the universal Church.

Christianity spread throughout North Africa, and the region featured prominently in the early Church as the birthplace of saints, popes and Western monasticism.

The Church records tell us there were potentially three Black popes in Catholic history, all were born in North Africa:

— Pope Saint Victor I (189-198 or 199): He was the first pope to celebrate the liturgy and write Church documents in Latin rather than Greek. He is most famous for decreeing that Easter be universally celebrated on a Sunday, a practice already common in the West, but not so in the East. His feast day is July 28.

— Pope Saint Miltiades (also called St. Melchiades) (311-314): He was pope when Constantine the Great defeated his enemies and assumed control over Rome, paving the way to the end of persecution of Christians. Constantine gave the pope the Lateran palace (now known as the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran), which became the papal residence and seat of Christian governance. He was the last pope to be buried in a catacomb. His feast day is Dec. 10.

— Pope Saint Gelasius I (492-496): The first pope to be called the Vicar of Christ, he is most famous for affirming the primacy of the papacy based on Jesus’ command naming Peter the “rock of the Church.” He promoted a type of “separation of Church and State” but emphasized that Church authority is always superior to civil law. He ordered reception of the Eucharist under both species, and he used his own funds and the papal lands to feed the poor of Rome during a severe famine. His feast day is Nov. 21.

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