137 St. Hippolytus, Trad. Ap. 35: SCh 11,118.
ST. HIPPOLYTUS OF ROME (C. 170-175 - 235 AD)
Historical Note 
St. Hippolytus was the first anti-pope and the only one honored as a saint.
Not much is known of his early life besides the fact that there is evidence that he was of eastern origin, probably born in Alexandria between 170 and 175 AD. This opinion rests on the fact that he was fluent in Greek and that his theological opinions reflect Alexandrian thought. He also says of himself that he was an intellectual disciple of St. Irenaeus of Lyons. A tradition believed by St. Jerome states that he was bishop of Porto Romanus, a nearby suburban Roman see.
By 212 AD St. Hippolytus was establishing a reputation in Rome as a presbyter and scholar. Origen had the opportunity of hearing him while on a visit to Rome. St. Hippolytus also worked side by side with Tertullian against the Gnostics and the Sabellians. During the reign of Pope Zephyrinus St. Hippolytus opposed his solution to the problem of Patripassianism, a solution devised with the help of his adviser St. Callistus. When St. Callistus was later elected Pope (217 – 222 AD) St. Hippolytus opposed him openly for his alleged leniency towards repentant sinners, advocating a much more rigorous attitude. Gathering together a small group of devotees St. Hippolytus formed his own church and had himself elected as Bishop of Rome in opposition to St. Callistus, thus effecting a formal schism.
This schism continued for eighteen years through the pontificates of St. Urban I and St. Pontian, ending in 235 AD with the outbreak of the Thracian persecution, which targeted leaders of the Church. In that year both Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus were arrested and exiled by the Emperor Thrax to the unhealthy island of Sardinia. Together, they worked side by side in the salt mines. St. Hippolytus witnessed firsthand the sanctity of Pope St. Pontian and, humbled by the experience, he sent a message to his followers renouncing his claim to the See of Rome.
Soon after both Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus died in the salt mines. Since St. Hippolytus had confessed his fault there was nothing to prevent his recognition as a true martyr. Pope St. Fabian (236 – 250 AD) had his relics later brought back to Rome. A statue of St. Hippolytus was discovered in 1551, apparently marking the site of his burial. His followers probably erected it shortly after his death.
St. Hippolytus’ writing activity was prodigious, but like Origen only a small percentage of it remains extant to this day. We possess only the titles of thirty-five of his works and even less texts. What we know comes mainly from the writings of Eusebius, St. Jerome, Theodoret and Photius, This was probably due to the fact that he wrote in Greek at a time when Latin was fast becoming the official language of the Roman church as well as the unhappy memory of his schism. He was undoubtedly a man of great talent with skills in exegesis, apology, dogma, morals, discipline, history and geography. Above all he was an exegete. As a preacher and homilist he exhibited true oratorical ability with a style that was clear, elegant and unaffected. Extracts Commentary on Daniel (C. 204 AD): 1, 16
"And she said to her maids, ‘Bring me oil.’ Indeed, faith and love prepare oil and cleansing unguents for those who are washed. But what were these unguents if not the commands of the Holy Word? And what the oil, if not the power of the Holy Spirit? It is with these, after the washing, that believers are anointed as with a sweet-smelling oil. All these things were prefigured through the blessed Susanna for our sakes, so that we of the present time who believe in God, might not regard as strange the things which now are done in the Church, and that we might believe that all of them have been set forth in figures by the patriarchs." 22
"For when the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then accomplished…the abomination of desolation will be manifested, and when he (the Antichrist) comes, the sacrifice and oblation will be removed, which are now offered up to God in every place by the gentiles." 23
"And then the deacons immediately bring the oblation to the bishop; and he eucharists the bread into the antitype of the Body of Christ; and the cup of mixed wine, for an antitype of the Blood, which was shed for all who believe in Him…Indeed, the bishop shall explain the reason for all these things to those who partake. Breaking the Bread into individual particles which he then distributes, he shall say: ‘Heavenly bread in Christ Jesus.’ And he that receives shall answer: ‘Amen.’" The Apostolic Tradition
2
"Let the Bishop be ordained after he has been chosen by all the people. When someone pleasing to all has been named, let the people assemble on the Lord’s Day with the presbyters and with such bishops as may be present. All giving assent, the bishops shall impose hands on him, and the presbytery shall stand by in silence. Indeed, all shall remain silent, praying in their hearts for the descent of the Spirit." 11
"When a widow is to be appointed, she is not to be ordained, but is designated by being named such…A widow is appointed by words alone, and is then associated with the other widows. Hands are not imposed upon her, because she does not offer the oblation and she does not conduct the Liturgy. Ordination is for the clergy because of the Liturgy; but a widow is appointed for prayer, and prayer is the duty of all." 21
"Baptize first the children; and if they can speak for themselves, let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them… "Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy
Spirit, has been crucified under Pontius Pilate, died [and was buried], who, on the third day
rose again, alive, from the dead, ascended into heaven and took His seat at the right hand of
the Father, and shall come to judge the living and the dead?
Do you believe in the Holy Church and the resurrection of the body in the Holy Spirit?"
22
"The bishop, imposing his hands on them, shall make an invocation saying: ‘O Lord God, who made them worthy of the remission of sins through the Holy Spirit’s washing unto rebirth, send into them your grace so that they may serve you according to your will: for there is glory to you, to the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Church, both now and through the ages of ages, Amen.’ Then, pouring the consecrated oil into his hands and imposing it on the head of the baptized, he shall say: ‘I anoint you with holy oil in the Lord, the Father Almighty and Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.’ And signing them on the forehead he shall kiss them and say: ‘The Lord shall be with you.’ And he that has been signed shall say: ‘And with your spirit.’ Thus shall he do with each." Refutation of All Heresies
9, 12
"For this reason women who were reputed to be believers began to take drugs to render themselves sterile, and being conceived, since they would not, on account of relatives and excessive wealth, want to have a child by a slave or by any insignificant person. See, then, into what great impiety that lawless one has proceeded, by teaching adultery and murder at the same time." 9, 12
"For Christ is the God over all, who has arranged to wash away sin from mankind, rendering the old man new." Against the Greeks
3
"Standing before (Christ’s) judgment, all of them, men, angels, and demons, crying out in one voice, shall say: ‘Just is your judgment!’ And the justice of that cry will be apparent in the recompense made to each. To those who have done well, everlasting enjoyment shall be given; while to the lovers of evil shall be given eternal punishment."