Hippolytus was a smart and serious priest who cared deeply about the Church. But he strongly disagreed with Pope Callixtus I, especially over how the Church should deal with serious sinners. Hippolytus thought the pope was being too lenient.
Around 217 AD, Father Hippolytus broke away and became a rival leader in Rome, making him the first antipope in history.
Years later, Pontian became pope. But Father Hippolytus remained separated from the Church.
Then, in 235 AD, Emperor Maximinus Thrax ordered a persecution of Christian leaders. Both Pope Pontian and Father Hippolytus were exiled to Sardinia and condemned to work in the mines.
The harsh life in the mines may have changed Father Hippolytus. Living through that hardship, he may have finally let go of his rival claim and accepted the Church again.
Pope Pontian likely realized that he would not make it back to Rome and could no longer carry out his duties. So he resigned as pope, becoming the first pope in history to do so. This allowed the Church in Rome to choose his successor.
The two men remained prisoners in the Sardinian mines until their deaths in 235 AD.
Let’s keep learning the saints’ way—day by day.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ