Zephyrinus

Who they were

Zephyrinus succeeded Pope Victor in 198 and reigned until his death on 20 December 217. Hippolytus describes him as a simple man without education, meaning he gave himself to the practical government of the Church rather than to theological learning. He brought the confessor Callixtus to Rome, put him in charge of the Church's new cemetery on the Via Appia - the catacomb of St Callixtus - and made him his trusted counsellor; Callixtus succeeded him.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Zephyrinus has been honoured as a saint since the early Church.

Why that counted as sanctity

Zephyrinus served the Church of Rome as a practical pastor for nearly twenty years, laying the foundations its people would rest in for centuries.

Connected on this site

• Callixtus I Saint
  “Upon his death on 20 December 217, he was succeeded by his principal advisor, Callixtus I.” — Wikipedia
• Victor I Saint
  “He was born in Rome, and succeeded Victor I.” — Wikipedia