Hippolytus of Rome

Hippolytus of Rome (170 – 235) is the most important 3rd-century theologian in the Christian Church in Rome, where he was probably born.

Photios I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca (cod.

121) as a disciple of Irenaeus, who was said to be a disciple of Polycarp, and from the context of this passage it is supposed that he suggested that Hippolytus himself so styled himself.

However, this assertion is doubtful.

He comes into conflict with the popes of his time and seems to have headed a schismatic group as a rival bishop of Rome.

For this reason he is sometimes considered the first Antipope.

He opposes the Roman bishops who soften the penitential system to accommodate the large number of new pagan converts.

However, he is very probably reconciled to the Church when he dies as a martyr.

Starting in the 4th century, various legends arise about him, identifying him as a priest of the Novatianist Schism or as a soldier converted by Saint Laurence.

He has also been confused with another martyr of the same name.

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