Hippolytus
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217 to 235
Antipope
170
236
Antipope Hippolytus
Biography:
He was a presbyter of the church at Rome and the first antipope, reigning during the pontificates of Pope Callistus I (217-222), Pope Urban I (222-230) and Pope Pontain (230-235).Preached against heresies
He taught a Logos doctrine similar to that of Tertullian, which was rejected by Pope Zephyrinus (199-217), whom he accused of supporting Modalism. He strongly preached against heresies, and criticised Zephyrinus of not doing anything but following the teaching of his ambitious deacon, Callistus. In his Apostolic Tradition, he complained that under Zephyrinus’ leadership, the church became corrupt and public worship a scandal. During the reign of Pope Pontian, he wrote his Philosophumena, a continued refutation against present heresies, tracing their origin to pagan philosophies.Antipope
Upon the death of Pope Zephyrinus, his out-spoken deacon Callistus was setup as pope. Several bishops oppossed to Callistus, left the Roman Church and setup Hippolytus as pope. Hippolytus criticised Callistus of heresy, one being the preaching that grave sins could be absolved by penance. He accused Callistus of the same laxness within the church and corruption, as under Zephyrinus.Christmas
Declared that Christians are to celebrate the birth of Christ on Decemember 25th, the same day the Romans celebrated the birth of Mithras, the sun god.Death
A century later, Prudentius (348-405), a Roman Christian Poet, wrote that Hippolytus had been torn apart by wild horses. This tradition is today believed to be untrue, or possibly a confusion with a different martyr. Hippolytus is considered to be the patron saint of horses.
Rulers & Events:
199-217: Pope Zephyrinus
211-217: Roman Emperor, Caracalla
217-222: Pope Callistus I
217-218: Roman Emperor, Macrinus
218-222: Roman Emperor, Elagabalus
222-230: Pope Urban I
222-235: Roman Emperor, Alexander Severus
230-235: Pope Pontain
235-238: Roman Emperor, Maximinus Thrax
