Saint Stephen I
Saint Stephen I (born c. 200 AD; died August 2, 257 AD in Rome, Italy) was the Bishop of Rome (Pope) from May 12, 254 AD to August 2, 257 AD. He is known principally for his controversy with Saint Cyprian of Carthage over whether baptism administered by heretics is valid. Stephen maintained that it is (because the sacrament derives its validity from Christ, not the minister), while Cyprian and much of the North African church held that it is not. Stephen was the first pope to explicitly appeal to the "authority of Peter" (Matthew 16:18) as the basis of papal primacy. He died during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. His feast day is August 2.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Stephen I
| Saint Stephen I | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 02 |
| Profession | Bishop of Rome (Pope); martyr (traditional); theologian of sacramental validity; defender of apostolic tradition |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Roman Church; 3rd-century papacy; pre-Nicene Christianity; baptism controversy; early doctrine of papal primacy; Valerian persecution |
| Patronage | Popes; those in doctrinal disputes; the Roman Church |
| Attributes | Papal tiara or vestments; the Chair of Peter (symbol of apostolic authority); baptismal font (the baptism controversy); palm of martyrdom (traditional) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (traditional) |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Died during the Valerian persecution (253–260 AD); the traditional account that he was martyred is uncertain; he died on August 2, 257 AD, during a period when the Emperor Valerian was beginning his persecution of the Church; the Liber Pontificalis states that he was buried in the Cemetery of Callixtus on the Appian Way; whether he died as a martyr (under direct orders) or of natural causes during a persecuting reign is not definitively established; the Roman Martyrology records him as a martyr; modern scholarship regards the question as open; his tenure ended at his death in 257, just as the Valerian persecution was intensifying |
| Primary Shrine | Catacombs of Callixtus (Cemetery of San Callisto), Rome — his burial near the Crypt of the Popes; Appian Way pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); August 2 |
| Historic Class | Semidouble (August 2) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Stephen I was elected Bishop of Rome in May 254 AD. His pontificate of approximately three years was dominated by the controversy over baptism administered by heretics.
The North African church, led by Saint Cyprian of Carthage, held that baptism by heretics was invalid and that converts from heretical communities must be re-baptized. Stephen insisted that baptism administered in the name of the Trinity was valid regardless of the minister, and that re-baptism was inadmissible on the grounds of apostolic tradition. He appealed to his authority as successor of Peter.
The controversy became bitter. Cyprian organized two African councils (255 and 256 AD) that supported his position. Stephen refused to meet the African delegates and threatened to break communion with the African church. Firmilian of Caesarea condemned Stephen in a letter that is one of our primary sources for the dispute.
Stephen died on August 2, 257 AD, without resolution. Cyprian died in the Valerian persecution the following year (258 AD). Both are venerated as saints.
The Church ultimately adopted Stephen's position. Augustine of Hippo developed Stephen's distinction into the classical Catholic teaching that the validity of a sacrament depends on its proper form and matter, not on the sanctity of the minister (ex opere operato).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (traditional)
Death location: Rome, Italy
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Stephen I: Pope, Martyr and Defender of Baptismal Unity | Under 5 minutes | Leyendas De Santos |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Catacombs of Callixtus, Rome — his burial place near the Crypt of the Popes; Appian Way.
Feast day
August 2
Veneration
Saint Stephen I was Pope from 254 to 257 AD. He was the first pope to appeal to Petrine authority in a formal dispute and defended the validity of trinitarian baptism regardless of the minister — a position the Church ultimately adopted. His feast is August 2.
Prayers
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