Pope Pontian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Saint Pontian |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
The Martyrdom of Saint Pontianus (Baltasar de Echave, c. 1612)
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 21 July 230 |
| Papacy ended | 28 September 235 |
| Predecessor | Urban I |
| Successor | Anterus |
| Personal details | |
| Died | October 235 Sardinia, Roman Empire |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 13 August (Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic Church 1969 calendar) 19 November (Catholic Church 1960 calendar and prior) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
Pope Pontian (died October 235) was the bishop of Rome from July 21, 230, to September 28, 235. During a time when Christians were being persecuted by Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Pontian was arrested. He was sent to the island of Sardinia.
He resigned from his role to allow a new pope to be chosen. Pontian was the first pope to ever resign. This happened on September 28, 235. His resignation helped bring an end to a split in the Church that had lasted for eighteen years. Some stories say he was beaten to death just weeks after arriving in Sardinia.
Contents
Life of Pope Pontian
We know a little more about Pope Pontian than the popes who came before him. He was a Roman citizen. His father's name was Calpurnius.
Pontian's Time as Pope
Pontian's time as pope was quite peaceful at first. This was during the rule of Emperor Severus Alexander. The emperor was kind to Christians.
Pontian led a meeting in Rome. This meeting agreed to remove a religious leader named Origen from his position. This happened around 230 or 231.
Persecution and Exile
The next emperor was Maximinus. He changed the policy of kindness towards Christians. Emperor Maximinus began to persecute them.
Both Pope Pontian and a rival leader, Antipope Hippolytus of Rome, were arrested. They were sent to work in the mines of Sardinia. Being sent to the mines was often like a death sentence.
Resignation and Death
Because he was sentenced to the mines, Pontian decided to resign. He was the first pope to ever do this. He resigned on September 28, 235. This allowed the Church in Rome to choose a new leader smoothly.
His resignation also helped end a big disagreement within the Church. This disagreement had lasted for eighteen years. Pontian died in October 235. He was beaten to death with sticks.
Honoring Pope Pontian
Pope Fabian had the bodies of both Pontian and Hippolytus brought back to Rome. This happened in 236 or 237. Pontian was buried in a special burial place for popes. It is called the Catacomb of Callixtus on the Appian Way.
In 1909, the stone slab covering his tomb was found. It has an inscription in Greek. It says Pontianus Episk, which means Pontianus Bish (for Bishop). The word "MARTUR" (Martyr) was added later.
Feast Days
In the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church's 1969 calendar, Pontian and Hippolytus are remembered together. Their special day is August 13.
Some Catholic groups use an older calendar. For them, Pontian's feast day is celebrated on November 19.
Churches Named After Him
A church in Rome, San Ponziano, Rome, is named in his honor. Other churches named for Pontian can be found in places like Spoleto, Lucca, and Carbonia, Sardinia.
See also
In Spanish: Ponciano para niños
- List of Catholic saints
- List of popes
- Pope Saint Pontian, patron saint archive
Images for kids
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Interior of San Ponziano, Rome
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