Saint Callistus
Saint Callistus (also Callixtus I; died c. October 14, 222 AD in Rome) was Pope from 217 to 222 AD and martyr. A former slave who rose to become head of the Roman Church's cemetery administration (the Catacombs of Callixtus bear his name) and then Pope, he is notable for his controversies with Hippolytus of Rome over the reception of penitent sinners. He was martyred during a popular uprising and thrown into a well. His feast day is October 14.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Callistus
| Saint Callistus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 14 |
| Profession | Pope (217–222 AD); formerly a slave; cemetery administrator |
| Rel. Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Patronage | Cemetery workers; gravediggers |
| Attributes | Papal tiara; palm of martyrdom; well (symbol of martyrdom) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (probable) |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; thrown into a well during a popular uprising |
| Primary Shrine | Catacombs of Callixtus, Via Appia Antica, Rome, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | October 14 |
Biography
Callistus (Callixtus) began life as a slave belonging to a Christian master. He was sent to manage a bank deposit scheme that failed, fled, was recaptured, was condemned to work in the Sardinian mines, but was eventually freed. He rose to become a deacon of the Roman Church under Pope Zephyrinus and was put in charge of the Christian cemetery on the Via Appia — the catacombs that bear his name. On Zephyrinus's death in 217 he was elected Pope.
His pontificate was theologically contentious: he was condemned by Hippolytus of Rome, who accused him of laxity in permitting reconciliation of adulterers and murderers to the Church after penance. This dispute reflects early tensions over the severity of the penitential system. Callistus also ruled against multiple marriage for clergy.
He was martyred around 222 AD, thrown into a well during a popular uprising in his neighborhood. He is commemorated on October 14.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (probable)
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: The great Roman catacomb he administered and which bears his name; burial place of many popes (Catacombs of Callixtus, Via Appia Antica, Rome, Italy)
Notable location: His episcopal see as Pope (217–222 AD) (Rome, Italy)
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Callistus have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| October 14 Saint Callistus 1 | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| October 14 Saint Callistus | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| Saint Callistus, Pope & Martyr - October 14th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Catacombs of Callixtus, Via Appia Antica, Rome — the great complex he administered; burial place of numerous early popes.
Feast day
October 14
Veneration
Saint Callistus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on October 14 (Optional Memorial).
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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