Hippolytus: The First Antipope

By John Mench

Hippolytus was a student of Irenaeus, and he spent his entire life trying to understand the meaning of the words written by those who knew Jesus. He thought he knew Jesus’s purpose. He read many of the ancient scrolls with great concern and was not afraid to challenge the decrees of the pope. For many years, he disagreed with the leniency of the church and challenged several popes concerning absolution granted to those who committed adultery or murder. He became known as the first antipope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Jan 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781489721280

John Mench

The author served in the U.S. Navy and then went to college. After graduating with an engineering degree, he enjoyed careers (50+ yrs.) as an engineer, businessman, and professor. He is now retired but writes novels. While reading the New Testament for over sixty years and teaching Sunday School Bible classes for twenty years, Fellow, John Mench, Ph.D., has been conflicted by the lack of personality within the testament. He endeavors to add perspective to the message of the testament by creating lives for those who wrote and developed Jesus’ message. My series of books – The First Four Hundred Years includes: Story One - Paul - (The Unique Trio - John the Baptist,Jesus, and Paul) Story Two - John Mark – (Born in Africa – Martyred in Africa) Story Three - John - (John the Youngest – John the Oldest) Story Four - Polycarp – (A Student of John) Story Five – Irenaeus – (A Student of Polycarp) Story Six - Hippolytus – (The First Antipope) Story Seven – Lucian – (Excommunicated – Reconciled – Commemorated as a Saint) Story Eight - Constantine – (Helena – Nicaea – Dead Sea Scrolls) Story Nine – Augustine – (Student of Ambrose – The City of God – Bishop of Hippo)

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Copyright © 2019 John Mench.

Interior Image Credit: Trina Jang

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-2130-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2129-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2128-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901041

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 01/29/2019

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Born In Rome

Chapter 2 Relocation to Lugdunum

Chapter 3 Hippolytus Lived in Lugdunum

Chapter 4 Return to Rome

Chapter 5 The Praetorian Guard

Chapter 6 A Priest in Rome

Chapter 7 Egypt

Chapter 8 Priest and Author

Chapter 9 A New Church

Chapter 10 Hippolytus versus Pope Callixtus

Chapter 11 Hippolytus versus Pope Urban

Chapter 12 The First Antipope

Chapter 13 Hippolytus versus Pope Pontian

Chapter 14 Exiled

Chapter 15 Escape

Chapter 16 Pontus

Chapter 17 Death

DEDICATION

Dedicated to my wife, Rose, who for thirty-four years, focused our lives around Jesus’ message and to my second wife, Ann, who encouraged me for the last twenty years. Her illness provided me with the time to write and her love of life encouraged me to tell my stories. God’s grace is with both of you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To my friends who after reading my book gave me critical guidance and loving care.

INTRODUCTION

The Foundation of Christianity

In an effort to stimulate your imagination, I have written a series of books concerning the interaction among the Roman Empire, pagan religions, the Jewish religion, and the new Christian religion.

After reading the books, I encourage you to form and record your imagination about the unrecorded events.

My series of books are written as fiction related to history. In my opinion, history concerning any specific topic in ancient times is fiction. The amount of written history that is accurate is pure speculation, and the amount of fiction that is contained in written history is based on several items:

1. elapsed time (from event to now)

2. government influence (the winners of war write history)

3. greed (writing to make money)

4. perspective (being human)

When you read a history book, you are reading a written perspective that has been deemed acceptable by your generation and your environment. Most history books are the perspective of well-paid victors.

HIPPOLYTUS

Hippolytus was a student of Irenaeus and spent his entire life trying to understand the meaning of the words written by those who knew Jesus. He thought he knew Jesus’ purpose and read many of the ancient scrolls with great concern and was not afraid to challenge the decrees of the Pope. For many years, he disagreed with the leniency of the church and challenged several Popes concerning absolution granted to those who committed adultery or murder. He became known as the first Antipope.

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CHAPTER 1

BORN IN ROME

The reign of Marcus Aurelius, emperor of the Roman Empire, ended. His son, Commodus, had assisted his father rule the empire for three years, and after his father’s death, in the year one hundred eighty, the young man became the sole ruler of the empire. His reign was a time of peace and decline for the Romans. At this time, the church was controlled by Pope Eleuterus, who had impressed the members of his bishopric by speaking Greek. One of his members, Elizabeth, and her pagan husband, David, expected their third child. David was a warrior in the Roman Army and stationed in Rome. Their son, Marcus, was fourteen years old, a skilled horseman, and attended school. Their daughter, Ruth, was eight years old and helped her mother at home.

Elizabeth and Ruth sat in the living area of their home.

Suddenly, Elizabeth looked at Ruth and said, I hope this baby is a boy. Your father wants another son. I am getting too old to have children.

Ruth grinned and said, You are doing fine, mother. You are just a little large. Your attendant, Cleo, has prepared to help you with the birthing process, and father and Marcus have completed building the additional room onto the house. Everything has been prepared for you and the baby.

Elizabeth was mildly sensitive about being vertically challenged and quite small in size, but now she was very large. She looked at her extended stomach and gently rubbed it.

I am sure everything will be fine, she said as she moved around in her chair. Have the servants bring us hot tea and bread.

Marcus was in his room studying. He heard David arrived home and hurried from his study area to meet him at the door. Elizabeth heard them talking.

I have been studying; did you have a good day? Marcus asked.

It was fine, David said. I was on guard duty in the park. It was a quiet day, and I enjoyed being outdoors on my horse in the sunshine.

I wish I could have been outdoors, Marcus said. I can’t wait until I complete school and join the army.

His father looked at Marcus.

Don’t wish your life away, he said. You will be married and in the army soon enough.

Elizabeth couldn’t resist the temptation to enter the conversation.

Maybe he won’t go into the army, she said. He might want to go to the university.

Marcus stared at his mother.

Not me, he said. I am enlisting in the army as soon as they will take me. It has been a good career for father.

David diverted Elizabeth’s attention.

Have you had any problems with our baby today? he asked.

I am doing fine, she answered. Cleo is taking good care of me. Ruth and I are having tea, would you join us?

David took a seat next to his wife, and they relaxed for a few moments before the servants served dinner.

Elizabeth looked at David and Marcus from across the dining table and said, I will bless us and the food. Please be silent and show respect for our blessings.

My food is fine, David said. I will be quiet so you can do your ritual. Hurry, I like my food hot.

Elizabeth blessed the food and then glared at David. They enjoyed a family dinner. After dinner, David and Marcus took wine and went into the living room.

Elizabeth, Ruth, and Cleo went outside and sat on the front porch.

It was a warm, lazy summer evening, and they listened to the summer sounds of the city.

When your baby arrives, is the army doctor going to help? Cleo asked.

No, the last time I went for a checkup, I told him if I needed him I would send a servant to ask for his help, she said. I don’t anticipate any problems. We have been through this a few times.

I am glad you talked with him, Cleo said. I feel better knowing that he will come if we need help.

I think you are more worried than I am, she said. Relax, everything will be fine.

Cleo nodded in agreement. They watched as the darkness of the evening was occasionally interrupted by a flickering candle.

Yes, Miss Elizabeth, she said. Everything will be fine.

He is a good doctor, Elizabeth said. He is very busy with the soldiers and their families.

They went inside the house and bid goodnight to the men. Cleo helped Elizabeth prepare for bed.

The next morning when Cleo rose and prepared breakfast, it was dark. The men ate breakfast as soon as it was served. David announced he would be on duty in the park all day. Marcus ate with his father and then went to school. Ruth waited for Elizabeth.

Cleo, have you seen Elizabeth this morning? Ruth asked. Maybe I should check on her.

Good morning, Elizabeth said. I think today is going to be the day. Cleo, do you have everything arranged?

Yes, everything is prepared, she said. Should I get David?

No, we will be fine, she said. I am going to lie down. Get everything ready. My baby is ready.

Elizabeth returned to her bed. Ruth held her hand, and Cleo brought a pile of cloth and a basin of water.

Help me, Elizabeth said. He is coming.

I am here with you, Ruth said.

Elizabeth gripped her hand very tightly.

Push, I can see the baby, Cleo said. I have him. He is a good looking boy."

They encounter no complications. Cleo cleaned Elizabeth and the baby. When she needed help, Ruth assisted her.

Now, you have two boys and a girl, Cleo said. What are you going to name him?

I am going to name him Hippolytus, she said. David wouldn’t give me any suggestions concerning a name, so I am naming him after my grandfather.

Here, he is all clean and swaddled, Cleo said. Ruth was a great help. Remain still and hold your baby, Ruth and I still have a few chores. I think your husband will be very happy.

The day passed very quickly. Hippolytus slept on Elizabeth’s stomach most of the day. When he awoke, she would feed him. Ruth stayed with her mother and new brother. Cleo washed clothes, cleaned and arranged the house. Things quickly returned to a new normal for the family. When David arrived home, he inquired about Elizabeth. Cleo told him that she was fine and resting in the bedroom with their new son, Hippolytus. He looked at Cleo and ignored the name.

You should have sent a servant to tell me she was having our baby, he said. Did you need the doctor?

No, we didn’t need him, Cleo said. Everything is in order.

David went to see his wife and new son.

How are you? he asked. You should have sent for me.

I am fine, Elizabeth said. Everything went just fine. Cleo was wonderful, and Ruth was a big help. I didn’t want you to worry about me.

We have to pick a name, he said. We could name him after my father.

His name is Hippolytus, she said. I named him after my grandfather.

You named him after your grandfather! David exclaimed. Hippolytus is a very unusual name. I am not certain I like it. If he can survive with that name, he should be quite a man. I guess my suggestions about a name didn’t concern you.

Elizabeth looked directly at David.

When I wanted you to help me pick a name, you changed the subject, so I decided to name him, she said.

I don’t remember you asking, he said. I must have had something on my mind. Are you certain you want to give him that name?

Cleo is going to be with me, she said. Ruth and the servants will make dinner for you and Marcus.

I will stay with you until Markus comes home, he said.

When Marcus arrived home, his father told him that he had a new brother and that the baby and his mother were doing fine. They went into the dining room, and Ruth served them dinner.

Not bad for a little girl, Marcus said. You can practice a few more years before you have to make dinner every night.

Marcus, don’t pick on your sister, David said. She is doing a good job. Finish your meal.

Ruth didn’t say anything. She anticipated the day when she would have a family for which to care.

After they finished dinner, David went to see his wife and new son and found Elizabeth lying on the bed with the baby on her stomach.

I am so happy, he said. I wanted another son. Marcus is a young man and will not be at home with us much longer.

I am happy, because you are happy, Elizabeth said. I want to have him baptized as soon as possible. I will talk with the priest. We can all attend church together.

I won’t be attending church, he said. You and Ruth can make the arrangements. If you have him baptized, it is fine with me.

You should go to church when he is baptized, she said. Everyone will want to see you.

I won’t be going with you, David said. I am a warrior, and I am not a Christian. You do what you want, but don’t get me involved. I want to be promoted a few more times and then retire. It is critical that I continue to be a pagan. I don’t want to create any problems that might hinder my career.

I will take the children with me, she said in an understanding tone.

Don’t count on Marcus, he said. He is old enough to make his own decisions. You may talk with him.

Two weeks later, Elizabeth and Ruth took Hippolytus to church, and he was baptized. David and Marcus chose not to attend. Cleo wasn’t invited. Hippolytus was welcomed into his new church family. Elizabeth, Ruth, and Hippolytus attended church each Sabbath, and the church members kept close watch on the family.

The next two years passed without incident. Ruth helped Cleo with all the household chores and gained the respect of all the servants. Marcus and his father sat in the living area of the house.

Father, after I complete my schooling, I want to join the army, he said. I need your permission because the army considers me too young.

We will have to talk with your mother, David said. I will talk with her first. We have to do this properly. You are quite young.

That evening after dinner, the family sat in the living area of their house.

Did you have a good day? David asked. I wasn’t very busy today. I was mounted on my horse all day and rode in the park.

That is nice, dear, Elizabeth said. I know you love the park and your horse.

Soon, Marcus will be in the army with me, he said. He has almost completed his schooling.

He hasn’t told me what he wants to do after he finishes school, she said. If he wants to join the army, it wouldn’t surprise me. Isn’t he too young?

He is young, he said. I would have to sign for him. He would probably work with me for a few years.

He grew up so fast, Elizabeth said. You can tell him you talked to me. I never heard him talk about anything except being in the army.

Thank you, he said. We were concerned that you might be upset.

I am upset, she said. I have sensed for a long time he was going to make the army his career. I hope he likes the army as much as you like it.

That evening, David and Marcus had a long discussion.

After Marcus graduated from school, he joined the army and was stationed in the local park. He loved the army and his new independence. He visited with his mother on a regular basis, but he lived in the barracks, not at home. Elizabeth continued to have mixed feelings about his career choice. She wanted him to have a great military career like his father, but she missed him at home. She prayed everyday about his inability to become a Christian.

Hippolytus was a precocious child. He learned to walk and talk at a very young age. By age three he had memorized many Bible verses and began to read. He was particularly interested in the stories about Jesus and memorized many of his prayers. By the time he was four years old; Hippolytus spoke very good Latin and began to learn Greek. The priests at the school regarded him as extremely bright and allowed him to attend classes with the older children.

In the year one hundred seventy-six, David was ordered to visit his commander’s office. He had no idea what the meeting would be about or what to expect. After he put on his newest uniform, David went to see him.

Sir, you sent for me, he said.

Yes, I wanted to talk with you, the commander said. I am sending some men to Lugdunum. I want you to command a group of them.

How long would I be there? David asked. I have a family.

I don’t know, he said. It could become a permanent assignment. It depends on the situation in Lugdunum. How long have you been in the army?

I have been in the army almost twenty years, he said. My son is also in the army.

This would be very good for your career, he said. You may take you son with you.

When would we depart Rome? David asked. I have some planning to do.

In about two months, he said. You can select twenty men to take with you. I will assign the others. If you have any questions, you can return and talk with me next week.

Thank you, sir, David said. I will begin preparing for the move.

He wasn’t quite sure how he would tell Elizabeth, but he was certain Marcus would be excited about serving in Lugdunum.

That evening after dinner, he and Elizabeth sat in the living area of their house.

I have news, David said. I am being transferred.

He looked at Elizabeth. She looked like she was in a state of shock. Finally, she spoke.

We are being transferred? she asked. Where are they sending us?

I am being sent to Lugdunum, he said. You will remain in Rome. If it is a permanent assignment, you will join me in about one year.

I will be here in Rome over the next year without you? she asked. What about Marcus?

He will be going with me, David said. I am able to select twenty men. The other men will be assigned to me. I will receive a promotion.

That is good for you, she said. I guess we will wait and expect to receive a message from you.

I was told it would be a year, he said. After a year, I will better understand the situation. If the army assigns me permanently to Lugdunum, I will send for you.

This is quite a shock, she said. I will have to pray. Does Marcus know you are taking him away from home?

I will see him tomorrow, he said. This will be a good move for his career.

Elizabeth silently stared at the wall and tears filled her eyes.

The next morning, David rose very early and went to see Marcus while Cleo prepared breakfast for the family. Elizabeth was the first one to appear in the dining room.

I will bring you some hot tea, Cleo said. Have a seat. Breakfast is just about ready.

I have some news, Elizabeth said. David and Marcus are being transferred. They will be in Lugdunum for a year, before they will know if it is a permanent assignment.

Cleo looked at Elizabeth. She was concerned about what was in the future for her and Elizabeth. Ruth and Hippolytus entered the room.

Have a seat, children, Elizabeth said. I have something to tell you.

Good morning, mother, what is it? Ruth asked.

Your father and brother are being transferred to Lugdunum, she said. We will remain here until we know if it is a permanent assignment for them.

Hippolytus didn’t know what to say. He just looked at his mother.

When will they be leaving? Ruth asked. Will father get a promotion?

Yes, he will get a promotion, Elizabeth said. I think they will be leaving Rome by boat in a few weeks.

I will take care of you women, Hippolytus said. You can count on me.

That is nice dear, Elizabeth said. We will be fine. You must keep studying and going to the church each day.

Yes, mother, he said. I will study very hard.

We will be fine, mother, Ruth said. I’m not planning to go anywhere.

We will just have to work a little more diligently, Elizabeth said. I hope we don’t have to move.

When their father came home that evening, Ruth and Hippolytus congratulated him and wished him well. He ensured them that this would, in the long term, be a very good move for all of them.

When they went to church that Sunday, Elizabeth told the church priest that her husband was being transferred, but Hippolytus would continue to study at the church each day. She hoped they would continue to teach him. They agreed to do so.

When the day arrived for David and Marcus to sail, the family accompanied them to the dock where they saw many soldiers waiting to board the ships. Eventually, David found Elizabeth.

Marcus won’t be able to visit with you today, he said. He must remain in formation. I will tell him you said goodbye.

We love you and will look forward to hearing from you, she said.

David climbed up on his horse and rode among the soldiers. The family stood on the dock and watched until the last soldier boarded.

After the ships sailed from the harbor, they went to a local restaurant for dinner.

Mother, I want to eat fresh fish, Hippolytus said. I hope they just caught my fish.

You can enjoy fresh fish, she said. Cleo, you can order whatever you like.

Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, she said. I would also enjoy fresh fish.

The restaurateur came to the table.

Can I take your order, please? he asked.

After the church service the following Sunday, Elizabeth talked with the priest.

I would like you to visit with us for dinner and to bless our home, when would you be available? she asked.

I could visit with your family on Tuesday, the priest said. I will look forward to visiting you.

That will be fine, she said. We will see you then.

Elizabeth and Ruth explained the dinner plans to Cleo. They purchased fresh vegetables and fish at the market on Tuesday morning, and the servants began to prepare a special dinner. When the priest arrived for dinner, Elizabeth answered the door.

Come in, Father Joseph, she said. Please be seated in the living area.

The servants and Cleo placed dinner on the table.

After they were seated at the table, Hippolytus said a prayer.

That was a very nice prayer, Joseph said. Who taught it to you?

No one taught me the prayer, he said. I wrote it.

I am impressed, he said. Maybe we should accelerate your studies.

They enjoyed a delicious dinner. In addition to the vegetables and fish, the servants provided hot bread, tea, goat’s milk, and warm fruit for dessert.

That was a wonderful meal, Joseph said. I can’t remember when I enjoyed such a lovely dinner.

Mother had it made especially for you, Hippolytus said.

Elizabeth blushed and looked at the floor. They adjourned to the living area. Ruth looked at the