c. 155 – 325 AD

Hippolytus of Rome

c. 170 – 235 AD

Rome, Italy

Overview

A learned Roman presbyter and theologian who broke with the bishop of Rome during a bitter dispute over discipline, becoming the first antipope.

The work known as Apostolic Tradition is traditionally linked to him and preserves very early material on ordination and church order.

Saint*

He entered into schism, opposing Pope Callistus I and setting himself up as a rival bishop of Rome.

Status: Saint. Tradition holds that he was later reconciled with the Church and died a martyr after exile in Sardinia alongside Pope Pontian.

Cataloging pagan philosophies and Christian heresies.

Traditionally attributed to Hippolytus; authorship debated. Contains early descriptions of the Eucharist, baptism, and ordination.

The earliest orthodox biblical commentary.

See what Hippolytus of Rome wrote about Scripture. Open any book in the Bible reader and switch to the Commentary tab to find their insights.

Apologists, pastors, and theologians writing before Nicaea, often under pressure from persecution and from rival visions of Christianity.

7 Church Fathers in this era

Part of The Ante-Nicene Fathers