Saint Martyr Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome

Abstract

Fr. Stephan (Stoycho) Staykov, Saint Martyr Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome. Saint Hippolytus of Rome is known throughout history as an early Christian writer with a strong sense of orthodoxy, as well as a presbyter and bishop of the Roman Church. There is no preserved information about his early life. From Chapter IX of his Φιλοσοφουμενα (Philosophumena), we learn only that during the papacy of Bishop Zephyrinus (198–217), St. Hippolytus held a position in the Roman Church, most likely as a presbyter. This role and ministry became the occasion and reason for the schism in the Roman Church, in which St. Hippolytus played a major role. His ministry evolved into a struggle against the heretical teachings of Noetus and Sabellius, as well as against certain bishops of Rome. He demonstrated himself to be an exceptional theologian, well-educated, and a unique church writer. In 354, based on the Liber Pontificalis, he was officially recognized as a saint, and his name was inscribed in the official Roman martyrology. In the Orthodox Church, the memory of Saint Hippolytus, Holy Martyr and Bishop of Rome (+235), is celebrated on January 30, while in the Western Roman Church, it is celebrated on August 13.