SAINT DIONYSIUS—A.D. 259

 

ON the 12th of September, A.D. 259, Saint Dionysius, born in Calabria, a priest of the Roman Church, was created pope. He rearranged the parishes of Rome, and re-established those institutions which had been disturbed by Valerian's persecutions.

Saint Basil calls Dionysius a man illustrious for fidelity to the faith and for virtues of every kind; and the same is said of this pope by his namesake, Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, whom Saint Anastasius speaks of as an admirable prelate. Pope Dionysius had so long and perfect an acquaintance with the doctrines of the Church that he might have served as the referee of an ecumenical council. During the dispute about the baptism of heretics he adhered to the decision of Stephen.

The city of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, having been sacked by the barbarians, Pope Dionysius, faithful to the generous traditions of his predecessors, sent to the churches there both consolation and means to redeem Christians from slavery, which circumstance caused the people to bless the memory of that pontiff, and to hold his letters in great veneration. Nevertheless, the harmony which had existed between Dionysius of Rome and Dionysius of Alexandria was on the point of being disturbed on account of a serious error of the latter. He undertook to refute with some warmth the heresy of Sabellius, who recognized in God no distinction of persons. Some believed, or pretended to believe, that in combating that error Dionysius of Alexandria had fallen into another that was no less blameworthy—that of supposing the Son not to be consubstantial with the Father. The pontiff wrote to him, and from the explanations which were given there resulted, as the pontiff hastened to acknowledge in the tenderest terms, a complete satisfaction. Gallienus commanded that persecution should cease, and declared it his pleasure that every one should freely follow his own creed. The pontiff, after a long life, holily employed, died A.D. 269. He governed the Church ten years, five months, and a few days.

In two ordinations he created seven bishops, twelve priests, and six deacons. He was interred in the cemetery of Calixtus.

After his decease the Holy See was vacant four days.

 

SAINT FELIX I—A.D. 269

 

THE successor of Saint Dionysius, Saint Felix I, was the son of Constantius. He ordered, or perhaps only confirmed the custom, that Masses, termed memorials, should be celebrated on the tombs of the martyrs, and that the altars should be consecrated and have relics of martyrs placed in them. He also prescribed the rite for the dedication of churches. Felix continued to be watchful respecting the false doctrines of the innovators who endeavored to corrupt the purity of the faith. Just as Christians were deploring the wounds inflicted on the Church by the heresiarch Sabellius, there appeared a new assailant, Paul of Samosata, Bitbop of Antioch. He regarded religion only as the instrument of avarice, luxury, and vanity. Li-centious and inflated with worldly pride, a theatrical performer rather than a sacred orator, a rapadous priest and a speculating bishop, corrupt in his own acts, and the corrupter of his flock, he was a Christian by accident, and by adulation made himself almost a Jew, for, in his eagerness to obtain favor with Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, who was inclined to Judaism, he Judaized his doctrines. The Council of Antioch, after having in three solemn assemblies convicted, condemned, and deposed that unworthy bishop, gave notice of that judgment to all the Catholic churches, and in particular, as was fit, to that of Rome. A letter was addressed to Pope Dionyasius to instruct him of the judgment, but as that pope died before the letter reached Rome, it was receded by Felix. On that occasion the courageous pontiff sent to Maximus, Bishop of Alexandria, a celebrated synodal, quoted by the Council of Ephesus, which condemned both the heresy of Sabelius and that of Paul of Samosata.

This latter heretic having, as we have stated, been deprived of his episcopate, Domnus was elected in his place. Such was the fury of the Samosatian that he refused to vacate the episcopal palace; and he persisted until the Emperor Aurelian himself, on the application of the Eastern Churches, ordered him to be expelled from the palace, that it might receive the bishop who was recognised by the Church of Rome and the Italian bishops. This proves that Aurelian, at the commencement of his reign, showed himself indulgent to the Christians; and Eusebius observes that at that time one might have said that the devil was asleep. It was not long ere he awoke, and excited that same Aurelian to order a persecution. It was not universal, and we may add that it was not of long duration, but it added, nevertheless, very many new names to the martyrology.

Felix was the first victim; he perished with that firmness which so well became one who may be pointed out as the model of the most shining virtues.

In two ordinations, in the month of December, he made five bishops, nine priests, and five deacons. He governed the Church about five years. He was interred in the cemetery on the Aurelian Way, about two miles from Rome, where subsequently a church was consecrated by Felix II.

The fury of the persecutor increased at every instant, and no doubt it was for that reason that the Holy See remained vacant only four days.

A short time before the reign of Saint Felix, Catholicism had to lament the death of Saint Gregory the Thaumaturgist, Bishop of Neo-Caesarea. During the weak reign of Gallienus the Goths had overrun Thrace and Macedonia whence they spread into Asia and Pontus. They plundered and burned the Temple of Diana. These disorders gave occasion to some Christians to commit crimes. Suddenly Saint Gregory sent a canorical epistle to a bishop, pointing out different degrees of penance for those Christians who made themselves Goths by joining them in order to pillage. Fleury says: ''Even the enemies of the Church have called Saint Gregory another Moses, on account of his miracles."

 

 

SAINT EUTYCHIANUS—A.D. 275

 

SAINT EUTYCHIANUS, of Luni, a city of which now only the ruins are to be seen near Savona, in Tuscany, was the son of Marinus, or Martinus, names which have long been almost synonymous. He was created pope in the year 275.

According to Bury, this pope instituted the Offertory of the Mass; and he ordered the benediction, under certain circumstances, of branches of trees and of fruit. He decided that the faithful who had married before the women had been baptized should have the right to keep their wives or repudiate them. By that order he did not encroach upon the Roman laws of that time.

By his command, drunkards were excluded from communion until they should abandon their vice. He with his own hands buried above three hundred and forty-two martyrs. He ordered that no one should be buried but in a colobium, a kind of cloak of red color; previously they had been buried in white cloth, stained with their own blood.

In five ordinations, in the month of December, he created nine bishops, sixteen priests, and five deacons. He died on the 8th of December. A.D. 283, and was interred in the cemetery of Calixtus. but the body was afterwards removed to his native place, Luni.

The Holy See remrined vacant seven days.

It was during the pontificate of Eutychianus that the heresiarch Manes appeared.

In the need of extending the faith, the Roman pontiffs recommended, zealous propagandism. The Christians tried those who were willing to listen to them. These latter were dividedinto two classes—one, the beginners, who had not yet learned the creed; the other, those who appeared entirely resolved upon following the maxims of Christianity. Belief was not left to mere chance; the beginners were instructed by degrees and according to their capacity. If a Gentile profited by that instruction, hands were laid upon him, and he became a catechumen. Those who were baptized were known as the faithful.

 

SAINT CAIUS—A.D. 283