Hippolytus

Who they were

Hippolytus was a learned priest of Rome, expert in Scripture, who set himself up as antipope, objecting to the ease with which the Church of Rome forgave those who had lapsed in persecution. His schism continued under Popes Urban and Pontian.

When the emperor Maximinus Thrax exiled both him and Pope Pontian to the mines of Sardinia, Pontian's humility led Hippolytus to be reconciled and to call his followers back to the Church. Both died there after a few months and were honoured as martyrs. Pope Damasus wrote that, asked which way to follow, he answered that all should follow the Catholic faith.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Hippolytus has been honoured as a martyr since the third century. He shares the memorial of 13 August with Pope St Pontian.

Why that counted as sanctity

Hippolytus, for years a rival to the Pope, was reconciled in suffering and died in the unity of the Church, telling his followers to keep the Catholic faith.

Connected on this site

• Irenaeus Saint Teacher
• Photios I of Constantinople Saint
  “Photios I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca (cod.” — Wikipedia