August 13th - Saint of the Day: Pope Saint Pontian & Saint Hippolytus (Priest), Martyrs
The Pope and the Antipope who became saints TOGETHER This might be the most surprising reconciliation story in Catholic history. In the year 235, Rome had a problem: two men claiming to lead the Church. Pontian was the real Pope. Hippolytus was a genius theologian who went rogue and became history's FIRST antipope. Then Emperor Maximinus Thrax arrested them BOTH and condemned them to the brutal mines of Sardinia. What happened next changed the Church forever: Pontian became the FIRST pope in history to resign, on September 28, 235, the earliest precisely dated event in papal history. Hippolytus reconciled with the Church he had fought for years. Both died as martyrs. Rome brought them home and buried them on the SAME day, August 13th. The ancient Martyrology says they were "crowned with a single crown." If a papal rivalry can end in shared sainthood, what grudge are you still holding? Get the full story, plus daily saints and Mass readings, at HolyManna.blog Subscribe for daily Catholic stories that actually hit different.