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Pope Damasus and the Catacombs Scott 750 (1984) During the first two weeks of August, we honor several martyrs of the Catholic Church. August 13 marks the memorial for two such martyrs, Saints Pontian and Hippolytus. They are linked by their shared place of death (Sardinia), date of burial (August 13) and their interconnected story.  Portrait of Pope Pontian Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain Pope Saint Pontian was consecrated Bishop of Rome in 230. Like many of the early popes, Pontian had to deal with a variety of issues regarding the interpretation of Church doctrines. One issue was how to re-integrate Christians back into the Church who had renounced their faith during periods of persecution. Some felt reintegration should include either re-baptism or a requirement to perform public penance. Others felt returning Christians should simply be welcomed back. During one such period of persecution in 235 AD, Pontian was exiled, but he first resigned as pope so that a successor could be elected. The portrait of Saint Pontian shown above comes from the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Among the artistic features of the Basilica are portraits of every pope, ringing the walls above the naves.  Fresco of Saint Hippolytus of Rome From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain Saint Hippolytus is an interesting figure. He was a strict rigorist in his beliefs. He is labeled as an anti-pope for resisting Pope Callixtus I's lenient attitudes towards reintegrating those who had 'rendered homage to false gods' during times of persecution. He continued as anti-pope during the reigns of three other popes from 217 AD to 235 AD, including Pope Pontian. However, in addition to his controversial status as an anti-pope, Hippolytus was perhaps the most impactful theologian in Rome before the legalization of Christianity. He is the author of the Apostolic Tradition, which preserves some of the most ancient liturgical texts of the early Church. In 235 AD, he was also exiled to Sardinia. It is believed he was reconciled to the Church prior to his death. He is the only anti-pope honored as a Saint of the Church. The two martyrs died in exile on the island of Sardinia, due to overwork while in forced labor in the mines or perhaps from starvation and neglect, rather than by execution. Around 236 AD, Pope Fabian returned their bodies to Rome for dignified burials. Pontian was interred in the papal crypt in the Catacombs of Callixtus (near the remains of other popes of that era). Hippolytus was buried in a Roman catacomb which was subsequently named in his honor. While no stamps have been issued by Vatican City to honor these martyrs, they are tied to the story of Pope Damasus I, who in the mid-4th century worked to preserve many of the significant Roman catacombs. He wrote an inscription on the tomb of Hippolytus which in part reads: "Wherever he was able to go, he had spoken of the Catholic faith so that all might follow it." REFRENCES: |
