SAINT CALLISTUS I, POPE

 

Saint Callistus
Saint Callistus

By Edward Matulanya 

Saint Callistus I (Feast Day: October 14)

Early Life of Saint Callistus

Saint Callistus I, also known as Callixtus or Calixtus, was born in Rome in the late 2nd century. He began life as a slave under a Christian master named Carpophorus. Entrusted with managing funds, Callistus lost money and fled, but he was captured and sentenced to hard labor in the Sardinian mines. His release was later secured through imperial influence, likely connected to Marcia, a mistress of Emperor Commodus (Loyola Press, n.d.; Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023).

Service Before Papacy

After his release, Callistus entered service under Pope Zephyrinus as a deacon. He became the caretaker of Christian burial grounds along the Appian Way, later known as the Catacombs of St. Callistus. These catacombs would become one of the most significant Christian cemeteries in Rome, housing the tombs of martyrs and several early popes (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023; Wikipedia, 2023a).

Papacy (217–222 AD)

Callistus was elected Pope in 217, succeeding Zephyrinus. His papacy was marked by theological and disciplinary controversies. The theologian Hippolytus opposed him, accusing Callistus of heresy and lax discipline. Hippolytus even became the first antipope in Church history (Wikipedia, 2023a).

Callistus emphasized the power of mercy and reconciliation: he permitted Christians guilty of serious sins, such as adultery or apostasy, to return to communion after penance. This lenient approach was seen as pastoral but angered stricter theologians like Hippolytus (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023). Callistus is also credited with formalizing the practice of Ember Days—periods of fasting and prayer (Loyola Press, n.d.).

Martyrdom and Death

Tradition holds that Callistus died a martyr’s death in 222 or 223, possibly during anti-Christian unrest in Rome. Some accounts claim he was thrown into a well, where he perished. His remains were interred in the Cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way, and later moved to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere (Wikipedia, 2023a).

Legacy

Saint Callistus is remembered for:

His emphasis on mercy and forgiveness.

His role in developing Christian burial traditions through the catacombs.

Being at the center of early Church struggles over theology and discipline.

Today, he is venerated as a martyr and pope, with his feast celebrated on October 14 (Wikipedia, 2023a). He is also the patron saint of cemetery workers (Wikipedia, 2023a).

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Saint Callistus I. In Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Callixtus-I

Loyola Press. (n.d.). Saint Callistus I. In Saints Stories for All Ages. Retrieved from https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/saint-callistus-i

Wikipedia. (2023a). Pope Callixtus I. In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Callixtus_I

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