Roman Catholic Pope. During his lifetime, he may have been a member of a college of presbyters serving the early Christians in Rome. There were no Roman popes prior to the fourth century and no Roman bishops before the second century per the Catholic Encyclopedia. There is no reference to him in any writings from the Apostolic Fathers. It is possible that in the mid second century, when Hegesippus was constructing the history of the early church, Romans may have simply passed along named of noted historical leaders. Since no one was a bishop that early in Rome, the early papal lists may be an attempt to put some order to a list of elders that had led Christians in those early years. This is somewhat supported by the fact that his name is based on the Latin word for six "sixtus" derivative of sextus. It is believed he served as an elder for approximately ten years, generally between 114 and ending between 119 to 125. Tradition holds he may be buried on Vatican Hill, however, there is a crypt in Alife, Campania, Italy that is said to house some of his bones and some are rumored to be at the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine, France. His feast day is April 6th. There is no evidence he established any liturgical ordinances since the christian church was still in its infancy especially in regard to what would become the Pre-Tridentine Mass.
Roman Catholic Pope. During his lifetime, he may have been a member of a college of presbyters serving the early Christians in Rome. There were no Roman popes prior to the fourth century and no Roman bishops before the second century per the Catholic Encyclopedia. There is no reference to him in any writings from the Apostolic Fathers. It is possible that in the mid second century, when Hegesippus was constructing the history of the early church, Romans may have simply passed along named of noted historical leaders. Since no one was a bishop that early in Rome, the early papal lists may be an attempt to put some order to a list of elders that had led Christians in those early years. This is somewhat supported by the fact that his name is based on the Latin word for six "sixtus" derivative of sextus. It is believed he served as an elder for approximately ten years, generally between 114 and ending between 119 to 125. Tradition holds he may be buried on Vatican Hill, however, there is a crypt in Alife, Campania, Italy that is said to house some of his bones and some are rumored to be at the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine, France. His feast day is April 6th. There is no evidence he established any liturgical ordinances since the christian church was still in its infancy especially in regard to what would become the Pre-Tridentine Mass.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
Advertisement
