St. Hippolytus of Rome
(C. 170-175 - 235 AD)
Historical Note
St. Hippolytus was the first anti-pope and the only one honored as a saint.
Not much is known of his early life besides the fact that there is evidence
that he was of eastern origin, probably born in Alexandria between 170 and
175 AD. This opinion rests on the fact that he was fluent in Greek and that
his theological opinions reflect Alexandrian thought. He also says of
himself that he was an intellectual disciple of St. Irenaeus of Lyons. A
tradition believed by St. Jerome states that he was bishop of Porto
Romanus, a nearby suburban Roman see.
By 212 AD, St. Hippolytus was establishing a reputation in Rome as a
presbyter and scholar. Origen had the opportunity of hearing him while on
a visit to Rome. St. Hippolytus also worked side by side with Tertullian
against the Gnostics and the Sabellians. During the reign of Pope
Zephyrinus, St. Hippolytus opposed his solution to the problem of
Patripassianism, a solution devised with the help of his adviser St.
Callistus. When St. Callistus was later elected Pope (217–222 AD), St.
Hippolytus opposed him openly for his alleged leniency towards repentant
sinners, advocating a much more rigorous attitude. Gathering together a
small group of devotees, St. Hippolytus formed his own church and had
himself elected as Bishop of Rome in opposition to St. Callistus, thus
effecting a formal schism.
This schism continued for eighteen years through the pontificates of St.
Urban I and St. Pontian, ending in 235 AD with the outbreak of the
Thracian persecution, which targeted leaders of the Church. In that year
both Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus were arrested and exiled by the
Emperor Thrax to the unhealthy island of Sardinia. Together, they worked
side by side in the salt mines. St. Hippolytus witnessed firsthand the
sanctity of Pope St. Pontian and, humbled by the experience, he sent a
message to his followers renouncing his claim to the See of Rome.
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