Difference between revisions of "Pope Linus" - New World Encyclopedia
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'''Saint Linus''' (d. ca. 79) was the second [[bishop of Rome]], following the first "pope," Saint Peter after Peter's martyrdom. according to Catholic tradition. Modern scholarship, however, holds that Rome did not yet have a tradition of a single ruling bishop at this time, seeing Linus as one of several elders who probably governing the young church. | '''Saint Linus''' (d. ca. 79) was the second [[bishop of Rome]], following the first "pope," Saint Peter after Peter's martyrdom. according to Catholic tradition. Modern scholarship, however, holds that Rome did not yet have a tradition of a single ruling bishop at this time, seeing Linus as one of several elders who probably governing the young church. | ||
| − | Most lists of the early bishops of Rome, provided by several [[Church Father]]s, agree in placing the name of Linus directly after that Saint Peter. These records are traced back to a list of the Roman bishops which existed in the time of [[Pope Eleutherus]] (about 174-189) and were included by [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in his book "Adversus haereses" (Against Heresies). Tertullian, however, asserts (''De praescriptione'', xxii) that [[Clement of Rome]] was bishop immediately after Peter, as do several later Latin scholars, including [[Saint Jerome]]. The list provided by Irenaeus, however, is generally accepted as more authoritative. Irenaeus also relates that "Pope" Linus is the same Linus mentioned by [[Saint Paul]] in his 2 Timothy 4:21 as joining Paul in his greetings to Timothy: | + | Most lists of the early bishops of Rome, provided by several [[Church Father]]s, agree in placing the name of Linus directly after that Saint Peter. These records are traced back to a list of the Roman bishops which existed in the time of [[Pope Eleutherus]] (about 174-189) and were included by [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in his book "Adversus haereses" (Against Heresies). Tertullian, however, asserts (''De praescriptione'', xxii) that [[Clement of Rome]] was bishop immediately after Peter, as do several later Latin scholars, including [[Saint Jerome]].<ref>[http://www.tertullian.org/articles/bindley_test/bindley_test_07prae.htm On the Prescription of Heretics, Chapter XXXII] Retrieved November 25, 2008.</ref>The list provided by Irenaeus, however, is generally accepted as more authoritative. Irenaeus also relates that "Pope" Linus is the same Linus mentioned by [[Saint Paul]] in his 2 Timothy 4:21 as joining Paul in his greetings to Timothy: |
<blockquote>After the Holy Apostles had founded and set the Church in order (in Rome) they gave over the exercise of the episcopal office to Linus. The same Linus is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. His successor was Anacletus.</blockquote> | <blockquote>After the Holy Apostles had founded and set the Church in order (in Rome) they gave over the exercise of the episcopal office to Linus. The same Linus is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. His successor was Anacletus.</blockquote> | ||
| − | Critical scholars point out, however, that Irenaeus is anything but objective in his account, the primary purpose of which is to uplift the idea of a single bishop ruling over each church as the repository of [[apostolic succession|apostolic authority]]. | + | Critical scholars point out, however, that Irenaeus is anything but objective in his account, the primary purpose of which is to uplift the idea of a single bishop ruling over each church as the repository of [[apostolic succession|apostolic authority]]. |
| − | Linus's term of office, according to the papal lists that follow Irenaeus' lead, lasted 12 years. The ''[[Liberian Catalogue]]'' specifies 12 years, four months, and 12 days, giving the dates as 56-67 C.E. The Liber Pontificalis corrobates this, speaking of his reign as lasting from the consulship of Saturninus and Scipio through that of Capito and Rufus. This, however, presents a problem for Catholic tradition, since Peter himself was thought to reign at Rome until his death c. 64 and was certainly still alive before 60. Some Christian writers of the fourth century also held the opinion that Linus headed the Roman church during the life of the [[Apostle]]. Catholic tradition, however, holds that Linus' pontificate dates from the year of the death of the apostles Peter and Paul, which are not known for certain. | + | Linus's term of office, according to the papal lists that follow Irenaeus' lead, lasted 12 years. The ''[[Liberian Catalogue]]'' specifies 12 years, four months, and 12 days, giving the dates as 56-67 C.E. The ''Liber Pontificalis'' corrobates this, speaking of his reign as lasting from the consulship of Saturninus and Scipio through that of Capito and Rufus. This, however, presents a problem for Catholic tradition, since Peter himself was thought to reign at Rome until his death c. 64 and was certainly still alive before 60. Some Christian writers of the fourth century also held the opinion that Linus headed the Roman church during the life of the [[Apostle]]. The ''[[Apostolic Constitutions]]'', for example, says that Linus was the first bishop of Rome and that he was ordained by [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]]. It states that he was succeeded by Clement, who was ordained by Peter.<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.ix.viii.iv.html Apostolic Constitutions 7.4] Retrieved November 25, 2008.</ref>Catholic tradition, however, holds that Linus' pontificate dates from the year of the death of the apostles Peter and Paul, which are not known for certain. Jerome dates Linus' reign to 67–78, and Eusebius dates the end of his episcopate to the second year of the reign of [[Titus]] (80). |
The ''Liber Pontificalis'' asserts that Linus' original home was in Tuscany and that his father's name was Herculanus. This source also relates that Linus issued a decree "in conformity with the ordinance of St. Peter," that women should have their heads covered in church. Paul's [[First Epistle to the Corinthians]] (11:5) may be the actual source of this rule, which was later attributed Peter and Linus. ''Liber Pontificalis'' also reports that Linus himself ordained 15 bishops and 18 priests, although once again these offices may be anachronistic. One manuscript of the ''Liber'' even claims that Linus "first ordained the celebration of the mass to commemorate the Lord's passion." | The ''Liber Pontificalis'' asserts that Linus' original home was in Tuscany and that his father's name was Herculanus. This source also relates that Linus issued a decree "in conformity with the ordinance of St. Peter," that women should have their heads covered in church. Paul's [[First Epistle to the Corinthians]] (11:5) may be the actual source of this rule, which was later attributed Peter and Linus. ''Liber Pontificalis'' also reports that Linus himself ordained 15 bishops and 18 priests, although once again these offices may be anachronistic. One manuscript of the ''Liber'' even claims that Linus "first ordained the celebration of the mass to commemorate the Lord's passion." | ||
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The statement made in the same source that Linus suffered martyrdom is not corroborated in the early sources, and between [[Nero]]—under whose reign Peter and Paul are thought to have perished—and [[Domitian]], there is no mention of any persecution of the Roman church. Irenaeus mentions only [[Telesphorus]] as a martyr among the early Roman bishops of whom he was aware (1. c., III, iv, 3). | The statement made in the same source that Linus suffered martyrdom is not corroborated in the early sources, and between [[Nero]]—under whose reign Peter and Paul are thought to have perished—and [[Domitian]], there is no mention of any persecution of the Roman church. Irenaeus mentions only [[Telesphorus]] as a martyr among the early Roman bishops of whom he was aware (1. c., III, iv, 3). | ||
| − | Finally | + | Finally ''Liber Pontificalis'' asserts that after his death, Linus was buried in the Vatican beside Saint Peter. It is considered possible that the earliest leaders of the Roman church also indeed buried there, but there is nothing in the liturgical tradition of the church to corroborate this, and a late second-century feast of martyrs does not mention Linus among the Roman saints so honored. However, in the early seventeenth century, when the workmen were digging near the present tomb of Saint Peter several sarcophagi were uncovered, among which was one thought to bear word Linus. However, it was later determined that "Linus" was probably part of a longer name such as Aquilinus or Anullinus. In the late nineteenth century, the Italian archaeologist [[Giovanni Battista de Rossiplace]] determined that the site of the tomb proves that it could not be the tomb of Linus. |
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| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | In the [[Roman Martyrology]], Linus is listed as an early saint and pope, but is not designated as a martyr. The entry about him is as follows: "At Rome, commemoration of Saint Linus, Pope, who, according to [[Irenaeus]], was the person to whom the blessed [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]] entrusted the episcopal care of the Church founded in the City and whom blessed [[Paul the Apostle]] mentions as associated with him." ('Martyrologium Romanum'' 23 September) | ||
| + | The feast of Saint Linus is celebrated on September 23, which is also the date of his death given in the ''Liber Pontificalis''. An epistle on the martyrdom of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul was once attributed to Linus and supposedly was sent by him to the Eastern Churches. It is now thought to be apocryphal and of later date. | ||
| + | In what appears to be a relatively recent [[British Israelism|British Israelite]] legend, Claudia, identified as the historical [[Claudia Rufina]], is given as Linus's sister, and both are said to have been children of the [[Iron Age]] [[Brython]]ic chieftain, [[Caratacus]].<ref>George Jowett, ''The Drama of the Lost Disciples'', 1961</ref> | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | *''Martyrologium Romanum'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7), 23 September</ref> | |
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Revision as of 20:38, 25 November 2008
| St. Linus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birth name | Linus |
| Papacy began | circa 67 |
| Papacy ended | circa 79 |
| Predecessor | Peter |
| Successor | Anacletus |
| Born | Unknown Unknown |
| Died | circa 79 Rome, Italy |
Saint Linus (d. ca. 79) was the second bishop of Rome, following the first "pope," Saint Peter after Peter's martyrdom. according to Catholic tradition. Modern scholarship, however, holds that Rome did not yet have a tradition of a single ruling bishop at this time, seeing Linus as one of several elders who probably governing the young church.
Most lists of the early bishops of Rome, provided by several Church Fathers, agree in placing the name of Linus directly after that Saint Peter. These records are traced back to a list of the Roman bishops which existed in the time of Pope Eleutherus (about 174-189) and were included by Irenaeus of Lyons in his book "Adversus haereses" (Against Heresies). Tertullian, however, asserts (De praescriptione, xxii) that Clement of Rome was bishop immediately after Peter, as do several later Latin scholars, including Saint Jerome.[1]The list provided by Irenaeus, however, is generally accepted as more authoritative. Irenaeus also relates that "Pope" Linus is the same Linus mentioned by Saint Paul in his 2 Timothy 4:21 as joining Paul in his greetings to Timothy:
After the Holy Apostles had founded and set the Church in order (in Rome) they gave over the exercise of the episcopal office to Linus. The same Linus is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. His successor was Anacletus.
Critical scholars point out, however, that Irenaeus is anything but objective in his account, the primary purpose of which is to uplift the idea of a single bishop ruling over each church as the repository of apostolic authority.
Linus's term of office, according to the papal lists that follow Irenaeus' lead, lasted 12 years. The Liberian Catalogue specifies 12 years, four months, and 12 days, giving the dates as 56-67 C.E. The Liber Pontificalis corrobates this, speaking of his reign as lasting from the consulship of Saturninus and Scipio through that of Capito and Rufus. This, however, presents a problem for Catholic tradition, since Peter himself was thought to reign at Rome until his death c. 64 and was certainly still alive before 60. Some Christian writers of the fourth century also held the opinion that Linus headed the Roman church during the life of the Apostle. The Apostolic Constitutions, for example, says that Linus was the first bishop of Rome and that he was ordained by Paul. It states that he was succeeded by Clement, who was ordained by Peter.[2]Catholic tradition, however, holds that Linus' pontificate dates from the year of the death of the apostles Peter and Paul, which are not known for certain. Jerome dates Linus' reign to 67–78, and Eusebius dates the end of his episcopate to the second year of the reign of Titus (80).
The Liber Pontificalis asserts that Linus' original home was in Tuscany and that his father's name was Herculanus. This source also relates that Linus issued a decree "in conformity with the ordinance of St. Peter," that women should have their heads covered in church. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians (11:5) may be the actual source of this rule, which was later attributed Peter and Linus. Liber Pontificalis also reports that Linus himself ordained 15 bishops and 18 priests, although once again these offices may be anachronistic. One manuscript of the Liber even claims that Linus "first ordained the celebration of the mass to commemorate the Lord's passion."
The statement made in the same source that Linus suffered martyrdom is not corroborated in the early sources, and between Nero—under whose reign Peter and Paul are thought to have perished—and Domitian, there is no mention of any persecution of the Roman church. Irenaeus mentions only Telesphorus as a martyr among the early Roman bishops of whom he was aware (1. c., III, iv, 3).
Finally Liber Pontificalis asserts that after his death, Linus was buried in the Vatican beside Saint Peter. It is considered possible that the earliest leaders of the Roman church also indeed buried there, but there is nothing in the liturgical tradition of the church to corroborate this, and a late second-century feast of martyrs does not mention Linus among the Roman saints so honored. However, in the early seventeenth century, when the workmen were digging near the present tomb of Saint Peter several sarcophagi were uncovered, among which was one thought to bear word Linus. However, it was later determined that "Linus" was probably part of a longer name such as Aquilinus or Anullinus. In the late nineteenth century, the Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossiplace determined that the site of the tomb proves that it could not be the tomb of Linus.
Legacy
In the Roman Martyrology, Linus is listed as an early saint and pope, but is not designated as a martyr. The entry about him is as follows: "At Rome, commemoration of Saint Linus, Pope, who, according to Irenaeus, was the person to whom the blessed Apostles entrusted the episcopal care of the Church founded in the City and whom blessed Paul the Apostle mentions as associated with him." ('Martyrologium Romanum 23 September)
The feast of Saint Linus is celebrated on September 23, which is also the date of his death given in the Liber Pontificalis. An epistle on the martyrdom of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul was once attributed to Linus and supposedly was sent by him to the Eastern Churches. It is now thought to be apocryphal and of later date.
In what appears to be a relatively recent British Israelite legend, Claudia, identified as the historical Claudia Rufina, is given as Linus's sister, and both are said to have been children of the Iron Age Brythonic chieftain, Caratacus.[3]
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Martyrologium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7), 23 September</ref>
| Papal succession Born: Unknown ; | ||
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Popes | ||
| Preceded by: St. Peter |
Bishop of Rome 67–79 |
Succeeded by: Saint Anacletus |
Notes
- ↑ On the Prescription of Heretics, Chapter XXXII Retrieved November 25, 2008.
- ↑ Apostolic Constitutions 7.4 Retrieved November 25, 2008.
- ↑ George Jowett, The Drama of the Lost Disciples, 1961
References
- Loomis, Louise Ropes. The Book of Popes (Liber Pontificalis), Merchantville, NJ: Evolution Publishing. ISBN 1-889758-86-8 (Reprint of the 1916 edition. Stops with Pope Pelagius, 579-590. English translation with scholarly footnotes, and illustrations).
External links
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