Difference between revisions of "Pope Sixtus I" - New World Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox Pope| | {{Infobox Pope| | ||
| − | English name=Sixtus I| | + | English name=Saint Sixtus I| |
image=[[Image:SixtusI.jpg|150px]]| | image=[[Image:SixtusI.jpg|150px]]| | ||
birth_name=Sixtus or Xystus| | birth_name=Sixtus or Xystus| | ||
| Line 13: | Line 15: | ||
other=Sixtus|}} | other=Sixtus|}} | ||
| − | '''Pope Saint Sixtus I''' was the [[bishop]] of [[Rome]] from about 117 or 119 | + | '''Pope Saint Sixtus I''' was the [[bishop]] of [[Rome]] from about 117 or 119 C.E. to 126 or 128 C.E., following [[Pope Alexander I]] and succeeded by Pope [[Telesphorus]]. The spelling '''Xystus''' is also used for the first three popes named Sixtus. |
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| − | Like most of his predecessors, | + | Like most of the very early popes, very little is known about Sixtus. Several sources call him a [[martyr]]. However, this is considered unproved, and the "Xystus" who is commemorated in the [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] [[Canon of the Mass]] is [[Sixtus II]], not Sixtus I. |
| + | {{toc}} | ||
| + | Sixtus I is credited as having instituted several Roman Catholic liturgical and administrative traditions, but historians believe that these were attributed to him by later writers who were interested in bolstering the [[papacy]]'s claims to ancient supremacy. Like most of his predecessors, Sixtus I was believed to be buried near [[Saint Peter]]'s grave in the [[Vatican]], although there are differing traditions concerning where his body lies today. His feast is celebrated on April 6. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
| + | Sixtus was reportedly a [[Rome|Roman]] by birth, and his father's name is given as Pastor. Other than that, nothing is known about his background. The ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'' credits him with instituting the following three ordinances: | ||
| + | *That only official [[minister]]s are allowed to touch the sacred vessels | ||
| + | *That [[bishop]]s who have been summoned to [[Rome]] can only be accepted back by their [[diocese]] after presenting letters from the [[pope]] | ||
| + | *That after the ''Preface'' in the Mass, the [[priest]] shall chant the ''[[Sanctus]]'' ("Holy, holy, holy…") together with the people | ||
| − | + | However, most historians today dismiss these claims as a later invention, for the authors of the ''Liber Pontificalis'' dutifully ascribe to each pope one or more such decrees in accord with the view of Roman church tradition stemming from an unbroken chain of apostolic authority going back to the first "pope," [[Saint Peter]]. Similar skepticism must be applied to the claim that Sixtus appointed exactly 11 [[priest]]s, four [[deacon]]s, and four [[bishop]]s. | |
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| − | + | Regarding the dates of Sixtus I, according to the ''[[Liberian Catalogue]]'' of popes, he ruled the Church during the reign of [[Hadrian]] "''a consulatu Negro et Aproniani usque Vero III et Ambibulo''," that is, from 117 to 126. The fourth century church historian [[Eusebius]], however, states in his ''Chronicon'' that Sixtus I was pope from 114 to 124, while his ''Historia Ecclesiastica,'' using a different list, claims that Sixtus' rule was from 114 to 128. | |
| − | + | [[Image:Alatri Arcobaleno.jpg|thumb|250px|The town of Altari, where Sixtus I is the [[patron saint]]]] | |
| − | The ''Felician Catalogue'' of popes, as well as the ''Liber Pontificalis'' and various [[martyrologies]], | + | The ''Felician Catalogue'' of popes, as well as the ''Liber Pontificalis'' and various [[martyrologies]], tells us that Sixtus I was a [[martyr]], though no details are provided. This gives him a somewhat more credible claim to this title than several earlier popes whom the ''Liber Pontificalis'' calls martyrs. However, [[Irenaeus of Lyons]], writing in the second century, says nothing of his martyrdom. His successor, [[Pope Telesphorus|Telesphorus]], is the first bishop of Rome after [[Saint Peter]] whom Irenaeus designates a martyr. |
Sixtus was reportedly buried in the Vatican, beside the tomb of Saint Peter. The ''Liber Pontificalis'' gives his date of burial as April 3. | Sixtus was reportedly buried in the Vatican, beside the tomb of Saint Peter. The ''Liber Pontificalis'' gives his date of burial as April 3. | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | The relics of Saint Sixtus are said to have been transferred to Alatri in 1132, although | + | The relics of Saint Sixtus are said to have been transferred to Alatri in 1132, although some contend that they are still in the Vatican Basilica. The eighteenth century English Roman Catholic hagiographer [[Alban Butler]] (''Lives of the Saints,'' April 6) stated that Pope [[Clement X]] gave some of his relics to Cardinal [[Jean François Paul de Gondi]], who placed them in the Abbey of St. Michael in [[Lorraine]] in the seventeenth century. The Xystus who is commemorated in the [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] [[Canon of the Mass]] is [[Sixtus II|Xystus II]], not Xystus I. |
{{start}} | {{start}} | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | *Chapman, John. ''Studies on the Early Papacy''. Port Washington, | + | * Benedict XVI. ''The Roman Martyrology.'' Gardners Books, 2007. ISBN 9780548133743. |
| − | *Fortescue, Adrian, and Scott M. P. Reid. ''The Early Papacy: To the Synod of Chalcedon in 451''. Southampton: Saint Austin Press, 1997. | + | * Chapman, John. ''Studies on the Early Papacy''. Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press, 1971. ISBN 9780804611398. |
| − | *Jowett, George F. ''The Drama of the Lost Disciples''. London: Covenant Pub. Co, 1968. {{OCLC|7181392}} | + | * Fortescue, Adrian, and Scott M. P. Reid. ''The Early Papacy: To the Synod of Chalcedon in 451''. Southampton: Saint Austin Press, 1997. ISBN 9781901157604. |
| − | * Loomis, Louise Ropes. ''The Book of Popes | + | * Jowett, George F. ''The Drama of the Lost Disciples''. London: Covenant Pub. Co, 1968. {{OCLC|7181392}} |
| + | * Loomis, Louise Ropes. ''The Book of Popes'' ''(Liber Pontificalis)''. Merchantville, NJ: Evolution Publishing. ISBN 1889758868. | ||
''This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.'' | ''This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.'' | ||
| + | {{Popes}} | ||
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[[Category:philosophy and religion]] | [[Category:philosophy and religion]] | ||
[[Category:religion]] | [[Category:religion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:43, 22 May 2015
| Saint Sixtus I | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birth name | Sixtus or Xystus |
| Papacy began | 117 or 119 |
| Papacy ended | 126 or 128 |
| Predecessor | Alexander I |
| Successor | Telesphorus |
| Born | ??? Rome, Italy |
| Died | 126 or 128 Rome, Italy |
| Other popes named Sixtus | |
Pope Saint Sixtus I was the bishop of Rome from about 117 or 119 C.E. to 126 or 128 C.E., following Pope Alexander I and succeeded by Pope Telesphorus. The spelling Xystus is also used for the first three popes named Sixtus.
Like most of the very early popes, very little is known about Sixtus. Several sources call him a martyr. However, this is considered unproved, and the "Xystus" who is commemorated in the Catholic Canon of the Mass is Sixtus II, not Sixtus I.
Sixtus I is credited as having instituted several Roman Catholic liturgical and administrative traditions, but historians believe that these were attributed to him by later writers who were interested in bolstering the papacy's claims to ancient supremacy. Like most of his predecessors, Sixtus I was believed to be buried near Saint Peter's grave in the Vatican, although there are differing traditions concerning where his body lies today. His feast is celebrated on April 6.
Biography
Sixtus was reportedly a Roman by birth, and his father's name is given as Pastor. Other than that, nothing is known about his background. The Liber Pontificalis credits him with instituting the following three ordinances:
- That only official ministers are allowed to touch the sacred vessels
- That bishops who have been summoned to Rome can only be accepted back by their diocese after presenting letters from the pope
- That after the Preface in the Mass, the priest shall chant the Sanctus ("Holy, holy, holy…") together with the people
However, most historians today dismiss these claims as a later invention, for the authors of the Liber Pontificalis dutifully ascribe to each pope one or more such decrees in accord with the view of Roman church tradition stemming from an unbroken chain of apostolic authority going back to the first "pope," Saint Peter. Similar skepticism must be applied to the claim that Sixtus appointed exactly 11 priests, four deacons, and four bishops.
Regarding the dates of Sixtus I, according to the Liberian Catalogue of popes, he ruled the Church during the reign of Hadrian "a consulatu Negro et Aproniani usque Vero III et Ambibulo," that is, from 117 to 126. The fourth century church historian Eusebius, however, states in his Chronicon that Sixtus I was pope from 114 to 124, while his Historia Ecclesiastica, using a different list, claims that Sixtus' rule was from 114 to 128.
The Felician Catalogue of popes, as well as the Liber Pontificalis and various martyrologies, tells us that Sixtus I was a martyr, though no details are provided. This gives him a somewhat more credible claim to this title than several earlier popes whom the Liber Pontificalis calls martyrs. However, Irenaeus of Lyons, writing in the second century, says nothing of his martyrdom. His successor, Telesphorus, is the first bishop of Rome after Saint Peter whom Irenaeus designates a martyr.
Sixtus was reportedly buried in the Vatican, beside the tomb of Saint Peter. The Liber Pontificalis gives his date of burial as April 3.
Legacy
The relics of Saint Sixtus are said to have been transferred to Alatri in 1132, although some contend that they are still in the Vatican Basilica. The eighteenth century English Roman Catholic hagiographer Alban Butler (Lives of the Saints, April 6) stated that Pope Clement X gave some of his relics to Cardinal Jean François Paul de Gondi, who placed them in the Abbey of St. Michael in Lorraine in the seventeenth century. The Xystus who is commemorated in the Catholic Canon of the Mass is Xystus II, not Xystus I.
| Roman Catholic Popes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Alexander I |
Bishop of Rome Pope 115–125 |
Succeeded by: Telesphorus |
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Benedict XVI. The Roman Martyrology. Gardners Books, 2007. ISBN 9780548133743.
- Chapman, John. Studies on the Early Papacy. Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press, 1971. ISBN 9780804611398.
- Fortescue, Adrian, and Scott M. P. Reid. The Early Papacy: To the Synod of Chalcedon in 451. Southampton: Saint Austin Press, 1997. ISBN 9781901157604.
- Jowett, George F. The Drama of the Lost Disciples. London: Covenant Pub. Co, 1968. OCLC 7181392
- Loomis, Louise Ropes. The Book of Popes (Liber Pontificalis). Merchantville, NJ: Evolution Publishing. ISBN 1889758868.
This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
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