Feast Day of Saints Pontian and Hypolytus
Pope, Priest, and MartyrsLoyola Press tells us about these two saints.
"Hypolytus was the most important writer in the Church at that time. But he wanted the Church to be very strict with sinners. When Pope Callistus chose to be forgiving, Hippolytus gathered followers and became antipope. In 230, Pontian became pope. Hippolytus refused to change his position. Pontian could not change him."
"In 235, under the persecution of Maximus, Pontian was sentenced to hard labor in the mines of Sardinia. He resigned as pope. That same year, Hippolytus was condemned to the same mines. The forgiving love of Christ finally penetrated his heart. He was reconciled to Pontian. The two of them died in the mines. They are martyrs for Christ."
Saints Pontian and Hypolytus, pray for us.