Reigned from 772 to 795. Founder of the temporal power of the popes; born in Rome, Italy; died there. Elected when the Lombards were threatening to dominate all Italy, he summoned Charlemagne to assist him in averting this catastrophe, and the result of his appeal was the Donation of Charlemagne, for eleven centuries the basis of the temporal sovereignty of the popes. The Lombard Kingdom was vanquished, and the papacy delivered from its persistent foe and left free to promote peace and order in Christendom. Adrian presided over the Seventh General Council (Nicea, 787), in which the Catholic doctrine regarding images was expounded.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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