creatorOf: Sixtus V, Pope, 1520-1590. He is commemorated on August 7.. Life. Political activities. 19 by Adolf von Harnack ( Book ); Saint Laurence of Rome: his ordination as a deacon by Pope Sixtus II. Pope Julius II (Latin: Iulius Secundus; December 5, 1443 - February 21, 1513), originally Giuliano Della Rovere, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 217th Pope from 1503 until his death in 1513. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sixtus-II. [1] The Tridentine Calendar commemorated Sixtus, Felicissimus, and Agapitus on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, 6 August. He decreed that the people should chant with the priest during the Sanctus at the Holy Communion section of the Catholic Mass.. 257.08.30 – 258.08.06. Sixtus II (XYSTUS), Saint, POPE, elected August 31, 257, martyred at Rome, August 6, 258.His origin is unknown. Pope Saint Sixtus II (also called Xystus, meaning "polished") was bishop of Rome from August 30, 257 to August 6, 258.He died a brutal death as a martyr during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Valerian. Pope Julius II appears to have been more interested in the status of the papacy than his own personal fame; nevertheless, his name will be forever linked with some of the most remarkable artistic works of the 16th century. It is certain that Pope Sixtus II is not their author (see Conybeare, "The Ring of Pope Xystus now first rendered into English, with an historical and critical commentary", London, 1910). Contents[show] Biography Early life Felice Peretti was born on December 13, 1521 at Grottammare, in the Papal States, to Pier Gentile (also known as Peretto Peretti), and Marianna da Frontillo. Sixtus II restored the relations with the African and Eastern churches which had been broken off by his predecessor on the question of heretical baptism raised by the heresy Novatianism. Pope Sixtus I (42 – 124, 125, 126 or 128), a Roman of Greek descent, was the Bishop of Rome from c. 115 to his death c. 124. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the persecutions under Emperor Valerian in 258, numerous bishops, priests, and deacons were put to death. He died a martyr during the persecution of emperor Valerian. Today, his remains, along with the remains of his nephew Pope Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere), are interred in St. Peter's Basilica, in the floor in front of the monument to Pope Clement X. Sixtus avoided persecution for many months. Pope Sixtus V brief, 1586. 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. Worked in Italy. The remains of Sixtus were transferred by the Christians to the papal crypt in the neighbouring cemetery of St. Callistus. He was martyred along with seven deacons, including Lawrence of Rome during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Valerian. A new edict focused on essential targets. He was only pope for a short time, but his witness and heroic martyrdom left a mark that has echoed down through the centuries. He was elected in August 257 to succeed Pope St. Stephen I, during whose pontificate there arose a conflict with certain Eastern churches over the rebaptism of converted heretics. [1] Lawrence of Rome, his best-known deacon, suffered martyrdom on 10 August, four days after his bishop.[3]. Harnack (Texte und Untersuchungen zur altchrist. He was martyred along with six deacons during the persecution of the Catholic Church by Emperor Valerian. The feast of St. Sixtus II and these six deacons is celebrated on 6 August, the day of their martyrdom. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Public Domain via Wikimedia. [1], According to the Liber Pontificalis, he was born in Greece and was a philosopher;[2] however, this is uncertain, and is disputed by modern western historians arguing that the authors of Liber Pontificalis confused him with that of the contemporary author Xystus, who was a Greek student of Pythagoreanism.[1]. He succeeded Pope Alexander I and was in turn succeeded by Pope Telesphorus. But in early August 258, Valerian got serious. Saint Nicholas was a bishop known now as Santa Claus. You can read about the beheading of Pope Saint Sixtus II and his life in this article. Our pope this week is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Church that you’ve never heard of. Sixtus II of Rome, also Xystus from Greek: Ξυστος, was the bishop of Rome from 257 to 258. University of Pennsylvania Library: referencedIn: Fundación y dotación, con la Bula necesaria de Sisto Quinto, echa por Dña. Updates? The “Liber Pontificalis” says that he was a Greek by birth, but this is probably a mistake, originating from the false assumption that he was identical with a Greek philosopher of the same name, who was the author of the so-called “Sentences” of Xystus. Sixtus is thought by some to be the author of the pseudo-Cyprianic writing Ad Novatianum, though this view has not found general acceptance. Sixtus II was the 24th pope and the second of four men to use the name Sixtus. He thus restored relations with those churches that had been severed by Stephen because of the conflict and sent an envoy to Bishop St. Cyprian of Carthage, Stephen’s opponent. Pope Sixtus II was bishop of Rome from 31 August 257 until his death on 6 August 258. Although Stephen firmly upheld the Roman rule that rendered … There, he and four deacons, Saints Januarius, Vincent, Magnus, and Stephen, were seized and either beheaded immediately or brought to court and returned for execution. The next Sixtus was today’s… Pope Sixtus II (died 6 August 258) was the Pope or Bishop of Rome from 31 August 257 until his death on 6 August 258. Pope St. Sixtus II. [1] Contents. Vicar of Jesus Christ. In 257, the formerly peaceable Emperor Valerian issued an anti-Christian edict which forbade Christians from assembling in cemeteries. He died a martyr. Pope Sixtus IV (21 July 1414 – 12 August 1484), born Francesco della Rovere, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 August 1471 to his death. vom Jahre 257/8, Zur Petrusapokalypse, Patristisches zu Luc. Pope Saint Sixtus II Profile. Pope Sixtus II St. Sixtus † Deceased Pope (Roma {Rome}, Italy) Events. Sixtus II had to be consecrated as Pope in secret because of the times. For protection, Sixtus gathered (Aug. 6, 258) his congregation for services in the subterranean cemetery of Praetextatus on the Appian Way. Elected 31 Aug., 257, martyred at Rome, 6 Aug., 258. His accomplishments as pope included the construction of the Sistine … The martyrdom of St. Sixtus was dramatic. His alleged authorship of the Sentences of Sextus (a collection of maxims on spiritual perfection) is dubious. Although Stephen firmly upheld the Roman rule that rendered rebaptism unnecessary, Sixtus, supposedly influenced by Bishop St. Dionysius the Great of Alexandria, adopted a more conciliatory attitude by tolerating the Eastern policies of rebaptism. Sixtus II & Felicissimus & Agapitus here and here St. Cajetan Cajetan, a co-founder of the Theatines, received the office of protonotary at Rome from Pope Julius II when still quite young. But in early August 258, Valerian got serious. Pope Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution, being beheaded on 6 August. He was martyred along with seven deacons, including Lawrence of Rome during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Valerian. Metropolitan Archbishop of … He is considered a Saint by the Catholic Church. A marble tombstone marks the site. From the Catholic Encyclopedia (XYSTUS). Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [5], Miller, OFM, Don. Sixtus II was one of the early popes who came from Greece. Bishop of Rome. …a vigorous reformer who succeeded Sixtus II as pope, faced the urgent task of reorganizing the church....…, …the Roman church serving Pope Sixtus II, whose martyrdom preceded Lawrence’s by a few days: they were...…, Roman Catholicism, Christian church that has been the decisive spiritual force in the history of Western...…. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A Roman of Greek descent, Sixtus was elected to the papacy in 257. Died: 6 August 258 AD in Rome, Italy. Image credit: Pope Sixtus II by Sandro Botticelli, 15th century. Behind his tomb was enshrined the bloodstained chair on which he had been beheaded He was martyred along with six deacons— Januarius, Vincentius, Magnus, Stephanus, Felicissimus and Agapitus. found: Catholic Encyclopedia www site, 5 Oct. 2007: Pope St. Sixtus II page (elected 31 Aug. 257, martyred at Rome, 6 Aug. 258; Xystus) Change Notes 1981-11-02 : new He died as a martyr during the persecution by Emperor Valerian. Shortly after Sixtus’ election, the Roman emperor Valerian promulgated his first decree against the Christians, and a violent persecution ensued. Bishops, priests, and deacons could be put to death without a trial. Saint Nicholas December 06. Well, at least, not until now. Martyred with St. Lawrence and six other deacons. Pope Sixtus I (also known as Xystus) was the sixth successor to Saint Peter as the Bishop of Rome of the Catholic Church.He served from approximately 116-125 C.E. 31 December 1481. St Sixtus and Companions by Fra Angelico Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, MartyrsEarly Third Century – 258 August 7—Optional MemorialLiturgical Color: RedPatron Saint of Bellegra, Italy The Pope is murdered in cold blood The sixth pope was named the “Sixth” or, in Latin, “Sixtus.” He reigned from 115–125 A.D. "Saint Sixtus II and Companions", Franciscan Media, "St. Xystus, or Sixtus II., Pope and Martyr", Collected works by Migne Patrologia Latina, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pope_Sixtus_II&oldid=997815278, Christian martyrs executed by decapitation, Articles incorporating a citation from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Беларуская (тарашкевіца)‎, Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 January 2021, at 10:42. The "Liber Pontificalis" says that he was a Greek by birth, but this is probably a mistake, originating from the false assumption that he was identical with a Greek philosopher of the same name, who was the author of the so-called "Sentences" of Xystus. Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church. He repaired the rift between the sees of Rome and Carthage that had developed over the issue of baptism and rebaptism. 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