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Icon of
St. Hippolytus, Pope of Old Rome, Martyr (+ 235)
Feast:
Jan. 30 (in Western rite, Aug. 13)
St.
Hippolytus was elected Pope of Old Rome in a contested election (St.
Callistus was the other Pope-elect). He is known to have censured St.
Callistus. He wrote a number of important books, including A Refutation
of All Heresies, Canticle of Canticles, and The Apostolic Tradition. He
was exiled to Sardinia in conseequence of the disputed election. At
Rome, the virgin Chryse was unmercifully tortured for Christ. St.
Hippolytus interceded on her behalf before the torturers and denounced
them. Because of that protest, Hippolytus also was brought to court,
was condemned and, after prolonged tortures, was sentenced to death.
They bound his hands and feet and drowned him in the sea. Along with
Hippolytus and Chryse, twenty other martyrs also suffered, including
St. Concordia. St. Hippolytus suffered under the emperor Claudius, in
the year of grace 269. Holy Hieromartyr Hippolytus, pray to God for
us!
Icon of unknown provenance,
from the website pravoslavie.ru.
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