Antipope Ursicinus

Also known as Ursinus.

He was the Antipope 366-7, and died after 381.

Pope Liberius was banished in 355, as a result of a conflict with the Emperor Constantius. Antipope Felix II was imposed as his successor. Liberius was eventually reinstalled and Felix expelled from Rome.

Liberius died on 24 September 366. There was considerable support for the election of Damasus (Damasus I, but opponents supported Ursicinus, and the two were elected simultaneously.

Supporters of the two clashed at the beginning and at the end of October, by which time Ursicinus had been exiled to Gaul. There was further violence when he returned, which continued when Ursicinus was exiled again.

At a synod in 378 Ursinus was condemned and Damasus exonerated. The former antipope continued to intrigue against Damasus for the next few years, and unsuccessfully attempted to revive his claim on the latter's death.