Hierarch Miltiades (Melchiades), Pope of Rome

IMPORTANT NOTE: the January 10 date appears in reference sources (the Hieronymian Martyrology), but checking the ROC's current liturgical calendar for the corresponding day did not turn up Miltiades — his commemoration is likely not actively observed in Russian practice today; the date is retained with an honest caveat rather than as a confirmed active practice.

Hierarch Miltiades (Melchiades), of African origin, became Bishop of Rome during the era of the last persecutions of Christians. Under him, Emperor Constantine's victory over Maxentius occurred (October 312) and the Lateran Palace was granted to the Roman bishop — an event marking the beginning of the papal residence's institutional independence. He presided over the Roman (Lateran) Council of 313, which supported Caecilian of Carthage and condemned the Donatist schism, excommunicating Donatus.

Donatist polemics later accused Miltiades of apostasy (surrendering sacred books) during the persecutions — modern scholarship considers these charges unreliable. He died in 314 and was buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus.

His feast is kept on January 10 (see note above).