Pope Zephyrinus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pope Saint Zephyrinus
Bishop of Rome
15th century Lithography depicting St. Zephyrinus
Church	Catholic Church
Papacy began	199
Papacy ended	20 December 217
Predecessor	Victor I
Successor	Callixtus I
Personal details
Born	Rome, Roman Empire
Died	20 December 217 Rome, Roman Empire
Sainthood
Feast day	20 December

Pope Zephyrinus was an important leader of the Christian Church. He served as the Bishop of Rome from the year 199 until he passed away on December 20, 217. He was born in Rome, a famous city in the Roman Empire. Zephyrinus took over from Pope Victor I. After his death, his main helper, Pope Callixtus I, became the next Pope. Zephyrinus is remembered for fighting against wrong beliefs and for protecting the idea that Christ is truly divine.

Zephyrinus's Time as Pope

Pope Zephyrinus led the Christian Church for 18 years. During this time, Christians faced tough challenges. The Roman Emperor Septimius Severus made it difficult for them until he died in 211. A writer named Alban Butler said that Zephyrinus was a great help and comfort to the struggling Christian community.

Zephyrinus also worked hard to correct new wrong ideas about Christianity. These included groups like the Marcionites, the Valentinians, and the Montanists. The historian Eusebius wrote that Zephyrinus strongly opposed two men named Theodotus. These men had ideas that went against the belief in Christ's divinity. Even though Zephyrinus was not killed for his faith, he suffered a lot mentally and spiritually. Because of this, he was once called a martyr, but this title was later changed.

Challenges for Christians

During the rule of Emperor Septimius Severus (193–211), the relationship between the Roman Empire and the young Christian Church became very difficult. Around 202 or 203, the emperor issued a rule that made it illegal to become a Christian. People who broke this rule faced very harsh punishments.

Zephyrinus's predecessor, Pope Victor I, had already removed a man named Theodotus the Tanner from the Church. Theodotus believed that Christ only became God after His Resurrection. Theodotus's followers formed their own group in Rome. This group was led by another Theodotus, known as the Money Changer, and a man named Asclepiodotus.

A person named Natalius was tortured for his Christian faith during the persecutions. Asclepiodotus convinced Natalius to become a leader in their group. He even offered Natalius money each month. However, Natalius later had several dreams that warned him to leave these people. According to an old writing, Natalius was whipped by an angel all night. The next day, he wore rough clothes and cried as he asked Pope Zephyrinus for forgiveness.

Feast Day and Remembrance

For many centuries, a special day to remember Saint Zephyrinus was celebrated on August 26. This day was added to the official calendar of the Catholic Church in the 13th century. However, in 1969, this date was removed from the main calendar. This was because Zephyrinus was not a martyr (someone who died for their faith). Also, August 26 is not the day he died.

Today, Zephyrinus is remembered in the Roman Martyrology on December 20, which is the anniversary of his death. Some parts of the Catholic Church, like the Maronite Catholic Church, still celebrate his feast on August 26.

See also

• Illiterate popes
• List of Catholic saints
• List of popes

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