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Pope Saint Zephyrinus
Popular devotion December 20Pope

Pope Saint Zephyrinus

Roman pope of the early third century who defended the divinity of Christ in a time of persecution.

Engraved papal portrait of Saint Zephyrinus, 16th century (public domain)

Who was Pope Saint Zephyrinus?

Zephyrinus was born in Rome and served as pope from about 199 to 217, a time of persecution under Emperor Septimius Severus. He defended the true divinity and humanity of Christ against several errors of his day. He chose the deacon Callixtus as his close helper and put him in charge of the Christian cemetery on the Appian Way, today the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. He died on December 20, 217, and Callixtus succeeded him.

Feast day and traditions

He was long honored as a martyr on August 26, but today the Roman Martyrology remembers him on December 20, the day of his death. He was buried near the catacomb that Callixtus organized on the Appian Way.

Prayer

Saint Zephyrinus, faithful shepherd in hard times, help us to know and love Jesus, true God and true man. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on December 11 and finish on December 19.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for December 20 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

Celebrate as a family

Look at pictures of the Roman catacombs together and talk about how the first Christians prayed in secret.

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