Sixtus Greece

Born [date unknown] in Greece, Roman Empire

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Biography

Pope St Sixtus II Greece is Notable.

Sixtus was born in Greece.^[1]

He was elected Bishop of Rome on 30 August 257, and during his pontificate of just under one year was able to restore relations with African and Eastern churches which had be broken off by his predecessor.^[2]

Under the Valerian persecutions in 258, a large number of bishops, priests and deacons were executed. Pope Sixtus II was among the first victims being beheaded on 6 August 258 along with six deacons: Januarius, vincentius, Magnus, Stephanus, Felicissimus and Agapitus. Deacon Lawrence of Rome was martyred just 4 days after his bishop on 10 August.^[2]

He was buried in the catacomb of Callixtus with the following inscription:

At the time when the sword pierced the bowels of the Mother, I, buried here, taught as Pastor the Word of God; when suddenly the soldiers rushed in and dragged me from the chair. The faithful offered their necks to the sword, but as soon as the Pastor saw the ones who wished to rob him of the palm (of martyrdom) he was the first to offer himself and his own head, not tolerating that the (pagan) frenzy should harm the others. Christ, who gives recompense, made manifest the Pastor's merit, preserving unharmed the flock.^[2]

Flocknote Popes in a Year ^[3] tells us:

Given the testy situation in the Roman Empire at the time, St. Sixtus II was elected in secret on August 30, 257. He was known for being a “good and peaceful priest,” according to Pontius, his biographer. Having also been faced, like his predecessor St. Stephen I, with the controversy surrounding re-baptism of heretics, Sixtus handled the fallout more diplomatically, restoring friendly relations within the universal Church while still upholding Stephen’s conclusion (that rebaptism was unnecessary).

Sixtus II died a martyr’s death and his feast day is celebrated on August 6.

St. Sixtus II is known for being a hero, plain and simple. The Roman emperor Valerian had initially been friendly and peaceable with the Church, but a paranoia that his friendliness angered the gods and was causing his empire to crumble made him to do an abrupt – and violent – about-face. Before long, the Church faced the full force of Roman persecution, as bishops, priests, and deacons were executed on the spot, without trial, when captured. Penalties against the laity were barely more lenient.

Sixtus II, who wasn't about to back down, (probably) muttered, “do your worst, pal” and illegally held Mass on August 6 in a chapel in the catacombs of St. Callixtus. Sadly, imperial soldiers burst in, discovering the clandestine liturgy. To prevent the massacre of the faithful, St. Sixtus II and four deacons surrendered themselves, being granted the crown of martyrdom by beheading.

St. Sixtus II was a contemporary of St. Lawrence, the famous martyr who, legend has it, said to his executioners (while being grilled alive), “Turn me over. I’m done on this side.” St. Lawrence is also the man who, when asked by the prefect of Rome to bring forth the riches of the Church, brought all of Rome’s poor to his doorstep.

Sixtus II and Lawrence were martyred within four days of one another, with St. Cyprian being martyred soon thereafter (September 14). All three are commemorated in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I): “Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence…”)

Nanjing University, an institution of higher learning that’s still in existence today, was founded in China.

Sources

1. ↑ Vatican
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Wikipedia Pope Sixtus II
3. ↑ Flocknote Popes in a Year
   SOURCES (and further reading)
   John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
   Pope St. Sixtus II - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14031c.htm
   Pope Sixtus II - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Sixtus_II
   Lawrence of Rome - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_of_Rome
   258 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/258