Saints Pontian and Hippolytus

Hippolytus was a learned priest of Rome in the early third century and the most important theologian of the Roman Church in his time. He sharply criticized Pope Callistus, whom he considered too lenient toward repentant sinners, and he allowed himself to be set up as a rival bishop, becoming the first antipope. The division continued under the following popes, including Pontian, elected in 230.

In 235 the Emperor Maximinus Thrax struck at the leaders of the Church and sent both Pontian and Hippolytus to forced labor in the mines of Sardinia, a sentence that few survived. Pontian resigned the papacy so that the Church in Rome could elect a new leader, the first pope known to have done so. In exile the two men were reconciled, and Hippolytus urged his followers to return to unity. Both died from the harsh treatment, and around 236 Pope Fabian had their bodies brought back to Rome, where they were buried on August 13.

Their shared feast is a reminder that even bitter divisions in the Church can be healed. Visitors to Rome can see an ancient statue of a seated teacher, later restored as Hippolytus, in the Vatican Library.

Many parishes use this day to pray for Christian unity and for persecuted Christians.