Callistus Unknown

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Biography

Pope St Callistus I Unknown is Notable.

It is not know where Callistus was born nor who his family were.^[1][2]

Hippolytus of Rome, who wrote Philosophumena claims that, denounced as a Christian, Callixtus, as a young slave from Rome, was put in charge of collected funds by his master Carpophorus, funds which were given as alms by other Christians for the care of widows and orphans; Callixtus lost the funds and fled from the city, but was caught near Portus. Callixtus jumped overboard to avoid capture but was rescued and taken back to his master. He was released at the request of the creditors, who hoped he might be able to recover some of the money, but was rearrested for fighting in a synagogue when he tried to borrow money or collect debts from some Jews.^[3]

Callixtus was sentenced to work in the mines of Sardinia.^[4] He was released with other Christians at the request of Hyacinthus, a eunuch presbyter, who represented Marcia, the favourite mistress of Emperor Commodus.^[2] In 199, Callixtus was ordained a deacon by Pope Zephyrinus and appointed superintendent of the Christian cemetery on the Appian Way. That place, which is to this day called the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, became the burial-ground of many popes and was the first land property owned by the Church.

He was consecrated Bishop of Rome in 218^[1] and started to admit Church converts from sects or schisms. As a consequence of this and other doctrinal differences, Hippolytus was elected as a rival bishop of Rome, the first antipope.^[2]

Callistus was martyred in 222 the buried in the cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way. In the 9th Century his relics were transferred to the Santa Maria in Trastevere.^[2]

Flocknote Popes in a Year ^[5] tells us:

Both the Liber Pontificalis (“Book of Popes”) and Church historian Eusebius list Pope St. Callistus I as the 16th Bishop of Rome and 15th successor of St. Peter, noting that he reigned for just five years.

We don’t know when he was born or where, but Callixtus was a slave of Carpophorus for the first part of his life. Carpophorus, a real piece of work, exiled his young slave to the mines of Sardinia, but after a while Callistus was freed. He soon became archdeacon and Number Two to his predecessor, Pope St. Zephyrinus.

Being an enthusiastic and a talented organizer, Callistus is thought to have arranged the creation of more parishes (known as “titular” churches) in Rome, and was in charge of a cemetery that’s still around today. He knew the family of St. Cecilia (patroness of music), and thanks to their donation built two titular churches there as well, now know as Santa Maria in Trastevere. It was here that tradition says Callistus was martyred, having been thrown down a well by a pagan mob.

Callistus I was a merciful and compassionate guy. He made some people mad – mainly Hippolytus and Tertullian – by admitting believers who had committed adultery and fornication back into the Church after they had done proper penance. It apparently wasn’t yet settled that we don’t just say, “Hey buddy, you had your chance” to grave sinners.

In any case, Callistus put it to rest, invoking Jesus’ promise to Peter that the bishops held power to bind and loose (Matt. 18:18), no matter the severity of the sin.

Callixtus was the first pope to have to deal with what we now call an “antipope”. Thanks to his spat with Callistus and Zephyrinus, Hippolytus was mad enough to set up a breakaway church, where he "reigned" as antipope for the next several years.

In 222, Roman Emperor Elagabalus and his mother were assassinated during a revolt. He was succeeded by 13-year-old Alexander Severus.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Vatican
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Wikipedia Pope Callixtus I
3. ↑ Chapman, John (1908). "Pope Callistus I" in The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
4. ↑ Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI (1997). "St. Callistus I". My First Book of Saints. Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate - Quality Catholic Publications. p. 240. ISBN 978-971-91595-4-4.
5. ↑ Flocknote Popes in a Year
   SOURCES (and further reading)
   - John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
   - Pope St. Callistus I - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03183d.htm
   - Pope Callixtus I - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Callixtus_I
   - 220s - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/220s