Saint Victor I was pope from 189 to 199 (the Vatican cites 186 or 189 to 197 or 201). He was born in the province of Africa, and later came to Rome. He was later canonized.

Until his pontificate, a difference in dating the celebration of Easter between Rome and the bishops of Asia Minor had been tolerated. The churches in Asia Minor celebrated Easter on the 14th of the Jewish month of Nisan, the Jewish Passover, regardless of what day it falls, as the Crucifixion had occurred on the Friday before Passover. The Latins called them Quartodecimans. Rome and the West celebrated Easter on the Sunday following the 14th of Nisan. Victor is remembered for the intolerance he displayed towards any lack of uniformity in the church by excommunicating the bishops who opposed his views on Easter. He also excommunicated Theodotus of Byzantium for his beliefs about Christ.

Until Victor's time, Rome celebrated the Mass in Greek. Pope Victor changed the language to Latin, which was used in his native North Africa. According to Jerome, he was the first Christian author to write about theology in Latin.