Friday, August 07, 2009

Memorial of Pope Sixtus II

Sixtus and four deacons were arrested on 6 August 258 while celebrating the eucharist in the cemetery of Callistus. By order of the Emperor Valerian they were decapitated that same day.
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Posted by Fr Longenecker at Friday, August 07, 2009

2 comments:

mtawnick said...

Cyprian seems to indicate (I have only poked around a bit on this) that the reason that the were killed was an Imperial grab for Church property. Possibly the celebration of the Eucharist was the external reason and the taking of property the real grab. Just thought it was an interesting text:

Cyprian, Epist 81.1:
"Cyprian to his brother Successus, greeting. The reason why I could not write to you immediately, dearest brother, was that all the clergy, being placed in the very heat of the contest, were unable in any way to depart hence, all of them being prepared in accordance with thedevotion of their mind for divine and heavenly glory. But know that those have come whom I had sent to the City for this purpose, that they might find out and bring back to us the truth, in whatever manner it had been decreed respecting us. For many various and uncertain things are current in men's opinions. But the truth concerning them is as follows, that Valerian had sent a rescript to the Senate, to the effect that bishops and presbyters and deacons should immediately be punished; but that senators, and men of importance, and Roman knights, should lose their dignity, and moreover be deprived of their property; and if, when their means were taken away, they should persist in being Christians, then they should also lose their heads; but that matrons should be deprived of their property, and sent into banishment. Moreover, people of Caesar's household, whoever of them had either confessed before, or should now confess, should have their property confiscated, and should be sent in chains by assignment to Caesar's estates. The Emperor Valerian also added to this address a copy of the letters which he sent to the presidents of the provinces concerning us; which letters we are dailyhoping will come, waiting according to the strength of our faith for the endurance of suffering, and expecting from the help and mercy of the Lord the crown of eternal life. But know that Xistus was martyred in the cemetery on the eighth day of the Ides of August, and with him four deacons. Moreover, the prefects in the City are daily urging on this persecution; so that, if any are presented to them, they are martyred, and their property claimed by the treasury."

3:14 PM
Brian said...

I hope to be ordained PD in 2011, God willing. I pray I don't get my head cut off!

God bless!

3:44 PM

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