Calixtus I, Saint

Calixtus I, Callixtus I, or Callistus I, Saint

(kəlĭk`stəs, kəlĭs`təs), c.160–c.222, pope (217–222), a Roman; successor of St. Zephyrinus. As archdeacon to Zephyrinus he established the famous Calixtus Cemetery, where all the popes of the 3d cent. except Calixtus himself are buried. His election to the papacy was opposed by HippolytusHippolytus, Saint
[Gr.,=loosed horse], d. c.236, first antipope (c.217–235), theologian, and martyr. Probably a disciple of St. Irenaeus, he became the most astute theologian in the Roman Church of his time—his work was similar in breadth to that of Origen and he
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 (later antipope), who accused him of monarchianism and of laxness in disciplining repentant sinners. Calixtus in fact excommunicated the chief monarchianist, SabelliusSabellius,
fl. 215, Christian priest and theologian, b. probably Libya or Egypt. He went to Rome, became the leader of those who accepted the doctrine of modalistic monarchianism, and was excommunicated by Pope St. Calixtus I in 220.
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. His other important action, to grant absolution under conditions of true contrition to certain classes of sinners (apostates, murderers, adulterers), considered by many as unforgivable, was important in the development of the church's doctrine of penance. Calixtus died in the reign of Alexander Severus and may have been a martyr. He was succeeded by St. Urban I. Feast: Oct. 14.