Martyrs(d. 235)
Their story
+ Pontian was elected bishop of Rome in 230. The only known event of his pontificate is a synod held in Rome to uphold the condemnation of certain teachings by Origen.
+ In 235, he was exiled to Sardinia by the Emperor Maximus. He endured his sufferings with great patience and is said to have beaten to death.
+ Exiled with Pope Pontian was Hippolytus, one of the most important theologians of the third century. A highly regarded Scripture scholar, he is also credited as the author of the Apostolic Tradition, which contains some of the earliest known liturgical texts.
+ After becoming involved in a number of theological controversies, and even regarded as an antipope for a time, Hippolytus was reconciled to the Church and became a staunch defender of the Faith.
+ These two important figures of the Roman Church died in 235.
For prayer and reflection
“How blessed is this Church of ours, so honored and illuminated by God and ennobled in these our days by the glorious blood of martyrs! In earlier times it shone white with the good deeds of our brethren, and now it is adorned with the red blood of martyrs. It counts both lilies and roses among its garlands.”—Saint Cyprian of Carthage
Prayer
May the precious long-suffering of the just,
O Lord, we pray,
bring us a great increase of love for you
and always prompt in our hearts
constancy in the holy faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
And today we celebrate...