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==Hippolytus of Rome==

==Hippolytus of Rome==

Saint '''Hippolytus of Rome''' (about A.D. 170-235), sometimes called Ypolitus (''Italian'', Ippolito) was an [[orthodox]] [[catholic]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[priest]] during the [[persecution]]s. He was one of the most prolific ecclesiastical writers of the early Church and among the most important [[Ante-Nicene Fathers|Christian theologians of the third century]]. He is considered by historians to have been [[antipope]] of the Church of Rome from about 217 to 235. He is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox tradition as a ''hieromartyr'' <ref>In Eastern Orthodox tradition the word "hieromartyr" means "priest-martyr", a priest or bishop killed for being Christian. – [https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Hieromartyr '''Hieromartyr''' (encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com)]</ref>, and a [[saint]]. He is mentioned in the [[Roman Martyrology]] on August 3. His Orthodox feast day is January 30.  

Saint '''Hippolytus of Rome''' (about A.D. 170-235), sometimes called Ypolitus (''Italian'', Ippolito) was an [[orthodox]] [[catholic]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[priest]] during the [[persecution]]s. He was one of the most prolific ecclesiastical writers of the early Church and among the most important [[Ante-Nicene Fathers|Christian theologians of the third century]]. He is considered by historians to have been [[antipope]] of the Church of Rome from about 217 to 235. He is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox tradition as a ''hieromartyr'' <ref>In Eastern Orthodox tradition the word "hieromartyr" means "priest-martyr", a priest or bishop killed for being Christian. – [https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Hieromartyr '''Hieromartyr''' (encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com)]</ref>, and a [[saint]]. He is mentioned in the [[Roman Martyrology]] on August 3. His Orthodox feast day is January 30.  

===Life===

===Life===

Until the publication in 1851 of the recently discovered "Philosophumena", a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", it was impossible to obtain any definite authentic facts concerning Hippolytus of Rome and his life from the conflicting statements about him, as follows:  

Until the publication in 1851 of the recently discovered "Philosophumena", a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", it was impossible to obtain any definite authentic facts concerning Hippolytus of Rome and his life from the conflicting statements about him, as follows:  

:Eusebius says that he was bishop of a church somewhere and enumerates several of his writings.<ref>Church History VI.20.22</ref>  

Eusebius says that he was bishop of a church somewhere and enumerates several of his writings.<ref>Church History VI.20.22</ref>  

:St. Jerome likewise describes him as the bishop of an unknown see, gives a longer list of his writings, and says of one of his homilies that he delivered it in the presence of Origen, to whom he made direct reference.<ref>''Illustrious Men'' 61</ref>  

St. Jerome likewise describes him as the bishop of an unknown see, gives a longer list of his writings, and says of one of his homilies that he delivered it in the presence of Origen, to whom he made direct reference.<ref>''Illustrious Men'' 61</ref>  

:Later Greek authors, for example Georgius Syncellus, Nicephorus Callistus <ref>Georgius Syncellus., ed. Bonn, 1829, 674 sqq.; Nicephorus Callistus, "Hist. eccl.", IV, xxxi</ref>, do not give much more information than Eusebius and Jerome; some of them call him Bishop of Rome, others Bishop of Porto. According to Photius I of Constantinople <ref>Bibliotheca, codex 121</ref>, he was a disciple of St. Irenæus. There is no difficulty in admitting that he could have been a disciple of St. Irenæus either in Rome or Lyons. (It is equally possible that Origen heard a homily by Hippolytus when he went to Rome about the year 212.) Oriental writers, as well as Pope Gelasius, place the See of Hippolytus at Bostra, the chief city of the Arabs.  

Later Greek authors, for example Georgius Syncellus, Nicephorus Callistus <ref>Georgius Syncellus., ed. Bonn, 1829, 674 sqq.; Nicephorus Callistus, "Hist. eccl.", IV, xxxi</ref>, do not give much more information than Eusebius and Jerome; some of them call him Bishop of Rome, others Bishop of Porto. According to Photius I of Constantinople <ref>Bibliotheca, codex 121</ref>, he was a disciple of St. Irenæus. There is no difficulty in admitting that he could have been a disciple of St. Irenæus either in Rome or Lyons. (It is equally possible that Origen heard a homily by Hippolytus when he went to Rome about the year 212.) Oriental writers, as well as Pope Gelasius, place the See of Hippolytus at Bostra, the chief city of the Arabs.  

===Writings===

===Writings===

From the details of his work, ''Philosophoumena'', Hippolytus apparently was a presbyter of the Church of Rome during the time Victor was the bishop of Rome (189-199) and at the beginning of the third century a leader of the Roman church during the pontificate of St. Zephyrinus (c. 199–217). Hippolytus was a presbyter (elder) in the church at Rome while Zephyrinus and Callistus served as the chief bishops. Hippolytus also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day  

From the details of his work, ''Philosophoumena'', Hippolytus apparently was a presbyter of the Church of Rome during the time Victor was the bishop of Rome (189-199) and at the beginning of the third century a leader of the Roman church during the pontificate of St. Zephyrinus (c. 199–217). Hippolytus was a presbyter (elder) in the church at Rome while Zephyrinus and Callistus served as the chief bishops. Hippolytus also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day  

He is known today for promoting orthodox Christology amid the confusion and bad doctrine in the church at Rome. Hippolytus was a leader of the Roman church during the pontificate of St. Zephyrinus, Zephrinus (c. 199–217). He denounced Pope Zephrinus for his leniency to the Christological heresies abroad in Rome, especially [[Modalism]] and [[Sabellianism]], whom he attacked as being a modalist (one who conceives that the entire Trinity dwells in Christ and who maintains that the names Father and Son are only different designations for the same subject). Hippolytus, rather, was a champion of the [[Logos]] doctrine that …

He is known today for promoting orthodox Christology amid the confusion and bad doctrine in the church at Rome. Hippolytus was a leader of the Roman church during the pontificate of St. Zephyrinus, Zephrinus (c. 199–217).

 

 

He denounced Pope Zephrinus for his leniency to the Christological heresies abroad in Rome, especially [[Modalism]] and [[Sabellianism]], whom he attacked as being a modalist (one who conceives that the entire Trinity dwells in Christ and who maintains that the names Father and Son are only different designations for the same subject). Hippolytus, rather, was a champion of the [[Logos]] doctrine that …

The ''[[Apostolic Tradition]] of Hippolytus'' was composed in approximately 215 in Rome. It apparently preserved older second century practices which were in …

Hippolytus also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day. Hippolytus was a presbyter (elder) in the church at Rome while Zephyrinus and Callistus served as the bishops of Rome. Both bishops supported some form of [[modalism]], which viewed the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as simply three “modes” or manifestations of the same Person, and saw those with a more Trinitarian understanding as believing in separate gods. Modalism is also known as ''Modalistic Monarchianism, Sabellianism'' (after Sabellius, one of its strongest proponents), and ''Patripassianism'' (“father-suffering”), since it taught that it was God the Father who was born as the Son and died on the cross and raised Himself from the dead. Hippolytus, in contrast, understood Jesus as a fully divine but distinct Person from the Father.

Hippolytus also came into conflict with the opinions of the bishops of Rome on christological issues of the day. The ''Philosophoumena'', that is a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", shows that he dissented from the compassionate views of Zephyrinus, whom he considered to be a weak man "unskilled the church's rule", and from ‎Callistus I of Rome (217-222) concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented.  

For these doctrinal differences, as well as the bishops’ relaxing of moral standards, Hippolytus bitterly opposed both bishops. The ''Philosophoumena'', that is a part of his larger work "Refutation of All Heresies", shows that he dissented from the compassionate views of Zephyrinus, whom he considered to be a weak man "unskilled the church's rule", and from ‎Callistus I of Rome (217-222) concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented.  

Hippolytus himself advocated an excessive rigorism. He continued in opposition as antipope throughout the reigns of the two immediate successors of Callistus, Urban (222 or 223 to 230) and Pontius (230-35), and during this period, probably during the pontificate of Pontianus, he wrote the "Philosophumena". In the reign of Pope Zephyrinus (198-217) he came into conflict with that pontiff and with the majority of the Church of Rome, primarily on account of the christological opinions which for some time had been causing controversies in Rome. Hippolytus had combated the heresy of Theodotion and the Alogi; in like fashion he opposed the false doctrines of Noetus, of Epigonus, of Cleomenes, and of Sabellius, who emphasized the unity of God too one-sidedly (Monarchians) and saw in the concepts of the Father and the Son merely manifestations (modi) of the Divine Nature (Modalism, Sabellianism). Hippolytus, on the contrary, stood uncompromisingly for a real difference between the Son (Logos) and the Father, but so as to represent the Former as a Divine Person almost completely separate from God (Ditheism) and at the same time altogether subordinate to the Father (Subordinationism). As the heresy in the doctrine of the Modalists was not at first clearly apparent, Pope Zephyrinus declined to give a decision. For this Hippolytus gravely censured him, representing him as an incompetent man, unworthy to rule the Church of Rome and as a tool in the hands of the ambitious and intriguing deacon Callistus, whose early life is maliciously depicted.<ref>''Philosophumena'', IX, xi-xii</ref> He accuses Callistus of having fallen first into the heresy of Theodotus, then into that of Sabellius; also of having through avarice degraded ecclesiastical, and especially the penitential, discipline to a disgraceful laxity. These reproaches were altogether unjustified.

Hippolytus himself advocated an excessive rigorism. He continued in opposition as antipope throughout the reigns of the two immediate successors of Callistus, Urban (222 or 223 to 230) and Pontius (230-35), and during this period, probably during the pontificate of Pontianus, he wrote the "Philosophumena". In the reign of Pope Zephyrinus (198-217) he came into conflict with that pontiff and with the majority of the Church of Rome, primarily on account of the christological opinions which for some time had been causing controversies in Rome. Hippolytus had combated the heresy of Theodotion and the Alogi; in like fashion he opposed the false doctrines of Noetus, of Epigonus, of Cleomenes, and of Sabellius, who emphasized the unity of God too one-sidedly (Monarchians) and saw in the concepts of the Father and the Son merely manifestations (modi) of the Divine Nature (Modalism, Sabellianism). Hippolytus, on the contrary, stood uncompromisingly for a real difference between the Son (Logos) and the Father, but so as to represent the Former as a Divine Person almost completely separate from God (Ditheism) and at the same time altogether subordinate to the Father (Subordinationism). As the heresy in the doctrine of the Modalists was not at first clearly apparent, Pope Zephyrinus declined to give a decision. For this Hippolytus gravely censured him, representing him as an incompetent man, unworthy to rule the Church of Rome and as a tool in the hands of the ambitious and intriguing deacon Callistus, whose early life is maliciously depicted.<ref>''Philosophumena'', IX, xi-xii</ref> He accuses Callistus of having fallen first into the heresy of Theodotus, then into that of Sabellius; also of having through avarice degraded ecclesiastical, and especially the penitential, discipline to a disgraceful laxity. These reproaches were altogether unjustified.

He dissented to such an extant from the compassionate views of Zephyrinus and ‎Callistus, that consequently, on the death of Zephyrinus in 217 when Pope St. Callistus I was elected pope (217-218), concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented, Hippolytus allowed himself to immediately leave the communion of the Roman Church with the support of his enthusiastic small band of followers in [[schism]], and had himself elected by them a rival bishop of Rome, the first [[antipope]] in history. These he calls the true Catholic Church and himself successor to the Apostles, terming the great majority of Roman Christians the School of Callistus. He afterward also opposed Callistus' successors, Popes Urban and Pontian as well.  

He dissented to such an extant from the compassionate views of Zephyrinus and ‎Callistus, that consequently, on the death of Zephyrinus in 217 when Pope St. Callistus I was elected pope (217-218), concerning the reception of backsliders and heretics who had repented, Hippolytus allowed himself to immediately leave the communion of the Roman Church with the support of his enthusiastic small band of followers in [[schism]], and had himself elected by them for a while as a rival bishop of the Roman church, the first [[antipope]] in history. These he calls the true Catholic Church and himself successor to the Apostles, terming the great majority of Roman Christians the School of Callistus. He afterward also opposed Callistus' successors, Popes Urban and Pontian as well. Ultimately, both Hippolytus and Pontianus were exiled to Sardinia under Emperor Maximus Thorax, and a new Roman bishop was installed, ending the schismatic controversy.  

===Death===

===Death===

Under the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Hippolytus was banished in 235 and exiled to the unhealthful island (''insula nociva'') of Sardinia at the same time as pope Pontianus; and shortly before this, or soon afterward, he became reconciled with the legitimate bishop and the Church of Rome. He died on Sardinia the same year in 235, reportedly a martyr from the sufferings he endured. Both Pontianus and Hippolytus were equally revered as martyrs by the Roman Church, a certain proof that Hippolytus had made his peace with that Church with Pope Pontian, who reconciled him and brought him back into the Church before his death. For, after both exiles had died on the island of Sardinia, their mortal remains were brought back and returned to Rome on the same day, 13 August (either 236 or one of the following years), and solemnly interred, Pontianus entombed in the papal vault in the catacomb of Callistus and Hippolytus buried in a cemetery in a spot on the Via Tiburtina. With his death the schism must have come to a speedy end, which, as we have learned from the subsequent inscription by pope Damasus, accounts for its identification with the Novatian schism at the end of the fourth century.  

Under the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Hippolytus was banished in 235 and exiled to the unhealthful island (''insula nociva'') of Sardinia at the same time as pope Pontianus; and shortly before this, or soon afterward, he became reconciled with the legitimate bishop and the Church of Rome. He died on Sardinia the same year in 235, reportedly a martyr from the sufferings he endured. It is possible that Hippolytus died working in the mines. Both Pontianus and Hippolytus were equally revered as martyrs by the Roman Church, a certain proof that Hippolytus had made his peace with that Church with Pope Pontian, who reconciled him and brought him back into the Church before his death. For, after both exiles had died on the island of Sardinia, their mortal remains were brought back and returned to Rome on the same day, 13 August (either 236 or one of the following years), and solemnly interred, Pontianus entombed in the papal vault in the catacomb of Callistus and Hippolytus buried in a cemetery in a spot on the Via Tiburtina. With his death the schism must have come to a speedy end, which, as we have learned from the subsequent inscription by pope Damasus, accounts for its identification with the Novatian schism at the end of the fourth century.  

By about 255, Hippolytus was considered a martyred priest by the Church in Rome, indicating that he had been reconciled with the Church and not considered a schismatic.

By about 255, Hippolytus was considered a martyred priest by the Church in Rome, indicating that he had been reconciled with the Church and not considered a schismatic.

A monument of importance is the large fragment of a marble statue of the saint discovered in 1551 which underwent restoration (the upper part of the body and the head being new), and is now preserved in the Lateran museum; the paschal cycle computed by Hippolytus and a list of his writings are engraved on the sides of the chair on which the figure of Hippolytus is seated; the monument dates from the third century.<ref>Kraus, "Realencyklopädie der christlichen Altertumer", 661 sqq.</ref>

A monument of importance is the large fragment of a marble statue of the saint discovered in 1551 which underwent restoration (the upper part of the body and the head being new), and is now preserved in the Lateran museum; the paschal cycle computed by Hippolytus and a list of his writings are engraved on the sides of the chair on which the figure of Hippolytus is seated; the monument dates from the third century.<ref>Kraus, "Realencyklopädie der christlichen Altertumer", 661 sqq.</ref>

The fact that Hippolytus was a schismatic Bishop of Rome and yet was held in high honour afterwards both as martyr and theologian, explains why as early as the fourth century nothing was known as to his see, for he was not on the list of the Roman bishops. The theory championed by Lightfoot (see below), that he was actually Bishop of Porto but with his official residence in Rome, is untenable. This assertion, made by a few authorities, results from a confusion with a martyr of Porto, due perhaps to a legendary account of his martyrdom. Moreover De Rossi's hypothesis, based on the inscription by Damasus, that Hippolytus returned from exile, and subsequently became an adherent of Novatian, his reconciliation with the Roman Church not being effected until just before his martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian (253-60), is incompatible with the supposition that he is the author of the "Philosophumena." The feast of St. Hippolytus is kept on 13 August, a date assigned in accordance with the legend of St. Laurence; that of Hippolytus of Porto is celebrated on 22 August.  

The fact that Hippolytus was a schismatic Bishop of Rome and yet was held in high honour afterwards both as martyr and theologian, explains why as early as the fourth century nothing was known as to his see, for he was not on the list of the Roman bishops. The theory championed by Dr. Lightfoot, that he was actually Bishop of Porto but with his official residence in Rome, is untenable. This assertion, made by a few authorities, results from a confusion with a martyr of Porto, due perhaps to a legendary account of his martyrdom. Moreover De Rossi's hypothesis, based on the inscription by Damasus, that Hippolytus returned from exile, and subsequently became an adherent of Novatian, his reconciliation with the Roman Church not being effected until just before his martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian (253-60), is incompatible with the supposition that he is the author of the "Philosophumena."  

 

The feast of St. [[Hippolytus, bishop and martyr]] is kept on 13 August, a date assigned in accordance with the legend of St. Laurence; that of Hippolytus of Porto is celebrated on 22 August.

==References==

==References==