Pope Sixtus I
Pope Sixtus I was a Roman bishop of Greek descent who served as Pope from approximately 117 or 119 to 126 or 128. He is remembered for instituting several liturgical and administrative traditions within the Catholic Church, including rules regarding the handling of sacred vessels and the reception of bishops returning to their dioceses.
- Feast Day
- April 6
- Century
- 2nd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He was a Roman of Greek descent and served as bishop of Rome.
- ›His pontificate is dated from C. 117 or 119 to C. 126 or 128.
- ›He succeeded Alexander I and was succeeded by Telesphorus.
- ›Sixtus I instituted that only sacred ministers could touch sacred vessels.
- ›He decreed that bishops summoned to the Holy See needed Apostolic letters to be received by their diocese upon return.
- ›He also instituted the recitation of the Sanctus with the people after the Preface in Mass.
Xystus
About Pope Sixtus I
Pope Sixtus I, a Roman of Greek descent, served as the bishop of Rome from approximately 117 or 119 to 126 or 128. He succeeded Pope Alexander I and was followed by Pope Telesphorus. His feast day is observed on April 6th.
Name and Origins
Older historical sources often use the spelling Xystus, derived from the Greek word "xystos," meaning "polished" or "shaved." Some scholars have questioned whether the name "Sixtus" is derived from the Latin "sextus," meaning "sixth," as he was the sixth pope after Saint Peter. It is important to note that the "Xystus" referenced in the Catholic Canon of the Mass is Xystus II, not Xystus I.
Pontificate and Reforms
Authorities generally agree that Sixtus I reigned for about ten years. According to the Liberian Catalogue, his service spanned from 117 to 126, coinciding with the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Eusebius, in his "Historia Ecclesiastica," places his reign from 119 to 128. His tenure was marked by significant liturgical and administrative codifications within the Church. According to the "Liber Pontificalis," Sixtus I instituted three key ordinances: that only sacred ministers are permitted to touch the sacred vessels; that bishops summoned to the Holy See must present Apostolic letters upon their return to their dioceses; and that priests should recite the "Sanctus" with the people after the Preface in the Mass.
Burial and Relics
Tradition holds that Sixtus I was buried near the tomb of Saint Peter on Vatican Hill, though differing accounts exist regarding the current location of his remains. A Romanesque crypt in Alife is said to house his relics, which were reportedly brought there by Rainulf III. Additionally, Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints" mentions that Pope Clement X gave some of Sixtus I's relics to Cardinal de Retz, who then placed them in the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pope Sixtus I live and serve?
Pope Sixtus I was the bishop of Rome from approximately 117 or 119 to his death around 126 or 128. Some authorities agree that he reigned for about ten years.
What is Pope Sixtus I known for?
He is chiefly remembered for instituting several liturgical and administrative traditions in the Catholic Church. These include rules about who could touch sacred vessels, the requirement for bishops to present Apostolic letters upon returning to their dioceses, and the recitation of the Sanctus with the people during Mass.
What was Sixtus I's background?
Sixtus I was a Roman of Greek descent. Older sources sometimes used the spelling Xystus, derived from the Greek word for 'polished' or 'shaved'.
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 body, with some relics housed in a crypt in Alife and others reportedly in the Abbey of Saint Michael in Lorraine.
Is the 'Xystus' in the Catholic Mass Pope Sixtus I?
No, the 'Xystus' mentioned in the Catholic Canon of the Mass refers to Xystus II, not Xystus I.
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