Sixtus I
Sixtus I, also known as Xystus, was a Roman bishop of Greek descent who served as Pope from approximately 117/119 to 126/128 AD. He is credited with instituting several liturgical and administrative traditions, including rules for the handling of sacred vessels and the reception of bishops returning from the Holy See. His pontificate falls within the early period of the Church's history.
Key Facts
- ›Roman bishop of Greek descent.
- ›Reigned approximately from 117/119 to 126/128 AD.
- ›Credited with three liturgical and administrative ordinances.
- ›His feast day is celebrated on April 6th.
- ›Tradition holds he was buried near Peter's grave on Vatican Hill.
Xystus
Liturgical Codification, Church Administration
- Instituted Ordinance That Only Sacred Ministers May Touch Sacred Vessels.
- Instituted Ordinance Requiring Bishops Summoned To the Holy See To Present Apostolic Letters Upon Return To Their Diocese.
- Instituted Ordinance For the Priest To Recite the Sanctus With the People After the Preface In Mass.
Peter, Alexander I, Telesphorus, Hadrian, Rainulf Iii, Clement X, Cardinal De Retz
About Sixtus I
Pope Sixtus I
Pope Sixtus I, also known by the spelling Xystus, was a Roman bishop of Greek descent who served as the Bishop of Rome from approximately 117 or 119 to 126 or 128 AD. He succeeded Alexander I and was followed by Telesphorus.
Life and Historical Context
Sources provide slightly varying dates for Sixtus I's pontificate. The Liberian Catalogue places his reign from 117 to 126, aligning with the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Conversely, Eusebius states his reign was from 119 to 128. Richard Adelbert Lipsius, comparing available sources, suggests Sixtus I died around 125 after a tenure of approximately ten years. His feast day is observed on April 6th.
Major Contributions
Sixtus I is recognized for instituting several important liturgical and administrative traditions within the early Catholic Church, as recorded in the Liber Pontificalis. These include:
- An ordinance stipulating that only sacred ministers are permitted to touch the sacred vessels.
- A decree that bishops summoned to the Holy See must present Apostolic letters upon their return to their dioceses.
- A directive for the priest to recite the Sanctus together with the congregation after the Preface during the Mass.
Burial and Relics
Tradition suggests that Sixtus I was buried near the tomb of Saint Peter on Vatican Hill. However, differing accounts exist regarding the current whereabouts of his relics. A Romanesque crypt in Alife is said to house some of his relics, brought there by Rainulf III. Additionally, Alban Butler mentions that Pope Clement X granted some of Sixtus I's relics to Cardinal de Retz, who then placed them in the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine.
Name Origin
Older sources frequently use the spelling Xystus, derived from the Greek word "xystos," meaning "polished" or "shaved." The name Sixtus has also led to speculation that it may derive from the Latin "sextus," meaning "sixth," as he was the sixth Pope after Peter. It is important to note that the "Xystus" mentioned in the Catholic Canon of the Mass refers to Xystus II, not Xystus I.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reign period of Pope Sixtus I?
Pope Sixtus I served as the bishop of Rome from approximately 117 or 119 AD until his death around 126 or 128 AD. Some authorities agree that he reigned for about ten years.
What are the notable traditions instituted by Pope Sixtus I?
Sixtus I is credited with instituting three ordinances: that only sacred ministers may touch sacred vessels, that bishops summoned to the Holy See must present Apostolic letters upon their return, and that the priest shall recite the Sanctus with the people after the Preface in the Mass.
What is the origin of the name Sixtus?
Older sources spell his name Xystus, derived from the Greek word 'xystos' meaning 'polished' or 'shaved'. There is also a question as to whether the name 'Sixtus' is derived from the Latin word 'sextus', meaning 'sixth', as he was the sixth Pope after Peter.
Where is Pope Sixtus I believed to be buried?
Like many of his predecessors, Sixtus I was believed to have been buried near Peter's grave on Vatican Hill. However, traditions differ regarding the current location of his relics, with some being housed in a crypt in Alife and others in the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine.
Related Popes
Alexander I
Pope Alexander I, bishop of Rome from approximately 108/109 to 116/119 AD, is a figure whose pontificate is shrouded in legend and disputed tradition. While some accounts credit him with significant liturgical innovations, modern scholarship views these as later attributions aimed at establishing an ancient pattern of papal authority.
Pius I
Pius I was the bishop of Rome from approximately 140 to 154. During his papacy, he is considered to have opposed the Valentinians and Gnostics, and tradition holds that he decreed Easter should be kept on a Sunday. He is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches, though his status as a martyr is uncertain.
Soter
Pope Soter served as the bishop of Rome from approximately 167 to 174 AD. He is credited with formally establishing Easter as an annual festival in Rome and declared marriage valid only when blessed as a sacrament by a priest. His pontificate occurred during a period when the early Church was grappling with emerging movements like Montanism.