Pope Hyginus
Pope Hyginus was the bishop of Rome from approximately 138 to 142. Tradition credits him with organizing the clergy and defining the ecclesiastical hierarchy, instituting baptismal godparents, and decreeing that all churches be consecrated. He is said to have died a martyr, though this is not verified by records.
- Feast Day
- January 11
- Century
- 2nd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Hyginus served as bishop of Rome from C. 138 to C. 142.
- ›He is traditionally credited with determining the prerogatives of the clergy and defining the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
- ›Hyginus instituted baptismal parents to assist the baptized.
- ›He decreed that all churches be consecrated.
- ›He is said to have died a martyr, but records do not verify this.
- ›He was buried on Vatican Hill near Saint Peter's tomb.
Υγίνος
About Pope Hyginus
What is known
Pope Hyginus was the bishop of Rome from approximately 138 AD to his death in 142 AD. He is traditionally credited with significant organizational reforms within the early Christian Church. According to tradition, he determined the various prerogatives of the clergy and defined the grades of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. This organization of the hierarchy and establishment of ecclesiastical precedence is mentioned in the Liber Pontificalis.
Major contributions and traditions
Hyginus is also remembered for instituting baptismal sponsors, who would assist the baptized during their Christian lives. Additionally, he decreed that all churches be consecrated. While there is a tradition that he died as a martyr, the ancient sources contain no information to verify this claim.
Historical context
The Liber Pontificalis states that Hyginus was Greek by birth. During his time as pontiff, the Gnostic Valentinus came to Rome and remained there until Anicetus became pontiff. Another Gnostic, Cerdo, also lived in Rome during Hyginus' reign. Cerdo was readmitted to the Church after confessing his errors but eventually fell back into heresy and was expelled.
Death and veneration
Pope Hyginus died around 142 AD and was buried on the Vatican Hill, near Saint Peter's tomb. His feast day is celebrated on January 11th in both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The chronology of early bishops of Rome is difficult to determine with exactitude.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pope Hyginus bishop of Rome?
Pope Hyginus served as the bishop of Rome from approximately 138 AD until his death around 142 AD. The exact chronology of early Roman bishops is difficult to determine with precision.
What is Pope Hyginus known for?
Tradition holds that Pope Hyginus organized the clergy and defined the grades of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. He is also credited with instituting baptismal parents to assist those being baptized and decreeing that all churches should be consecrated.
Is Pope Hyginus considered a martyr?
While it is said that Pope Hyginus died a martyr, there are no records that verify this claim. Therefore, his status as a martyr is based on tradition rather than historical documentation.
What was Pope Hyginus' background?
According to the Liber Pontificalis, Hyginus was of Greek birth. During his time as pope, notable Gnostic figures such as Valentinus and Cerdo were present in Rome.
When is Pope Hyginus' feast day?
The feast day of Pope Hyginus is celebrated on January 11th. This date is observed in both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Related Saints
Paulinus II of Aquileia
Paulinus II of Aquileia was a prominent scholar of the Carolingian Renaissance, serving as the Patriarch of Aquileia from 787 until his death. He was a theologian and poet who played a significant role in opposing Spanish Adoptionism and promoting the Filioque in the Nicene Creed. Paulinus is also remembered as the apostle of the Slovenes for his efforts in their peaceful Christianization.
Pope Telesphorus
Pope Telesphorus was the bishop of Rome from approximately 126 to 137 AD, during the reigns of Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. Traditionally considered the eighth Bishop of Rome after Peter, he is noted for his role in combating Gnosticism and for his martyrdom, which is the earliest attested martyrdom of a pope after Peter.
Pope Pius I
Pius I was the bishop of Rome from approximately 140 to 154 AD. He is remembered for opposing the Valentinians and Gnostics during his papacy and is considered a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. While traditionally believed to have decreed that Easter should be celebrated on a Sunday, his status as a martyr is unclear.