A philosopher of Athenian origin, Hyginus became pope during the reign of Antoninus Pius. His pontificate was marked by the struggle against the heresies of Valentinus and Cerdo, as well as by the organization of the clergy hierarchy and baptismal rites. He died a martyr in 142 and was buried at the Vatican.
Guided reading
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SAINT HYGINUS, POPE AND MARTYR
Accession and historical context
Son of a philosopher from Athens, Hyginus succeeded Pope Telesphorus during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius in a climate of persecution by the pagans.
Seven days after the martyrdom of Pope Saint Telesphor us, H Hygin Ninth pope of the Catholic Church, of Greek origin. yginus, whose father professed to teach philosophy in the city of Athens, and who had cultivated it himself, was placed on the chair of Saint Peter in the time of the Emperor Antoninus, surnamed the Pious.
During the four years, three months, and eight days that this most holy Pontiff governed the apostolic see, the Church was battered by two horrible storms. Firstly, from the Gentiles who held the Catholics to be magicians and sacrilegious, and who imagined that all the misfortunes of the world came as punishment for the contempt they showed toward idols; thus, they did not let any opportunity escape to do them harm, when they had the power.
Struggle against the heresies of Valentinus and Cerdo
The pontificate was marked by the struggle against the doctrines of Valentinus and Cerdo, who denied the Incarnation and introduced polytheism or dualism.
Secondly, from the side of the heretics who were waging an internal war against the Church; for, at that time, the heretic Valenti l'hérétique Valentin Gnostic heresiarch refuted by Irenaeus. nus, after having published his reveries in Egypt (the plurality of gods, up to the number of thirty, from whom Jesus Christ descended), came to Rome to sow discord. And although he feigned to be Catholic and dared not openly publish his blasphemies, he nevertheless secretly slipped them into private conferences.
Moreover, Cerdo, having re cently Cerdon Eastern heretic who denied the reality of the Incarnation. arrived from the Eastern lands, where he had publicly preached that there were several first principles, and denied the reality of the body of Jesus Christ, did not cease to spread his venom in hiding. He admitted the existence of two gods, rejected the greater part of the Scriptures, and maintained that Jesus Christ was not really born of the Virgin Mary and had only clothed himself in flesh in appearance.
The holy Pope Hyginus, having discovered him, drove him from the Church. Cerdo Cerdon Eastern heretic who denied the reality of the Incarnation. feigned to be repentant for his faults, retracted his impurities, and was received into the communion of the faithful; but as his penance had not been sincere, he continued to dogmatize in secret. He was excommunicated a second time.
Reforms and organization of the Church
Hyginus structured the hierarchy of the clergy, regulated the consecration of the holy chrism, and established the use of godfathers and godmothers at baptism.
To remedy this pernicious plague more effectively, Hyginus wrote several epistles on this same subject, two of which have been preserved; in them, he explains the mystery of the Incarnation, which the heretics misunderstood, admirably well. We also see that he established an order among the clergy, distributing it into certain degrees: it is not that this order did not already exist in the Church from the time of the Apostles, but he added something and placed some new ornament in the ceremonies of their ministry. Furthermore, he declared the manner in which the holy chrism was to be consecrated and ordered that there should be only one godfather and one godmother at baptism. He also made several other regulations concerning ecclesiastical discipline.
Martyrdom and burial
Pope Hyginus concluded his pontificate with martyrdom in 142 and was buried at the Vatican.
Finally, after having completed his course, he received the crown of martyrdom in the year 142, on January 11, as is noted in all the Martyrologies, and as the Church commemorates in the office. He was buried at t he Vati Vatican Burial place of Saint Gelasius. can.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Election to the Apostolic See after Saint Telesphorus
- Struggle against the heresies of Valentinus and Cerdo
- Excommunication of Cerdon on two occasions
- Writing of epistles on the mystery of the Incarnation
- Regulation of ecclesiastical discipline and the clergy
- Institution of a godfather and godmother for baptism