E02513: The Martyrdom of *Sixtus/Xystus, Laurence and Hippolytus (martyrs of Rome, respectively S00037, S00201, S00509) is written in Latin, presumably in Rome, perhaps in the 5th c. It narrates their miracles, martyrdom and burial in Rome. An augmented and rewritten version of it is incorporated in the Martyrdom of Polychronius, Sixtus/Xystus, Laurence, Hippolytus and others (E02504).

Martyrdom of Sixtus, Laurence and Hippolytus (BHL 7811)

Summary:

§ A: This narrative is humble, but the virtues of the martyrs are eminent by themselves.

§ B: Sixtus is bishop of Rome, born in Athens, first he was a philosopher and later he became a true disciple of Christ. As he hears that the emperor Decius is coming to Rome, he says that as Christ and the apostles already had to endure suffering to preserve the Church, one has to be ready for it.

§ C: He calls Laurence, his archdeacon (archidaconus), a Roman citizen, and entrusts him with all the goods (facultates) of the Church so that the greedy king might not get hold of it. [Here variant versions introduce a dialogue between Sixtus and Laurence]. Laurence sells them all and gives the money to the poor.

§ D: Decius arrives in Rome with Abdo and Senes, Persian citizens and most Christian, whom he had arrested and tortured and brought from the East. He organises games in which they are thrown to wild beasts, that however bow in front of them. The emperor orders them to be killed by gladiators, then their bodies to be thrown out of the amphitheatre and left unburied to dogs. Christians however take the bodies at night and bury them in the cemetery of Pontianus (cimiterium Pontianum) on the 3rd day of the Calends of August [= 30 July].

§ E: Then the emperor orders Sixtus, the bishop of Rome, to be brought to him and summons him to sacrifice to the gods. Sixtus rejects them as mere idols made of stone. Decius orders him to be beheaded, this is done outside the walls of the city on the via Appia in the place called clivum Martis. Christians steal his body and bury it in the cemeterium caelesti [variant reading perhaps preferable: cemeterium Calixti] on the same road on the 8th day of the Calends of August [= 6 August].

§ F: The same day Decius orders Laurence to be brought to him and asks him where the treasures of the Church are, knowing that he manages them. Laurence asks for a delay of two days to assemble everything. Decius accepts, but puts him under the custody of the general Hippolytus. Laurence assembles all the poor who believe in Christ. Hippolytus asks him to show him the treasures of the Church. Laurence agrees on the condition that Hippolytus believe in Christ. Hippolytus agrees. Laurence gives sight to the blind by signing their eyes with the cross of Christ. Seeing this, Hippolytus falls at Laurence’s feet and asks him to be made a Christian.

§ G: After receiving the faith of Christ, the next day Hippolytus goes to the emperor and tells him that Laurence is outside with a crowd of poor people and requires to enter with them. The emperor lets Laurence enter with them all and asks him where the treasures of the Church are, Laurence tells him that they are the poor.

§ H: The emperor hands him over to Valerianus, the prefect of the city, ordering him to be killed if he refuses to sacrifice. Laurence is interrogated in the Tiberian palace (palatium Tiberianum), and he rejects the idols.

§ I: Valerianus orders him to be grilled alive on a gridiron (graticula), but as this is done Laurence blesses the Lord. As Valerianus mocks him, Laurence tells him that the coals do not hurt him but refresh him thanks to Jesus Christ; he rejoices as he is worthy of being sacrificed for Christ. He confessed Christ when interrogated and now, grilled, he thanks God. With these words Laurence gives up his spirit. The same day Hippolytus steals his body, embalms it with perfume and buries it in a hidden crypt, the 4th day of the Ides of August [= 10 August].

§ K: Hippolytus remains there two days fasting and praying. The third day he comes home but before eating any food he is taken by soldiers and brought to the emperor. The emperor asks him whether he has become a magician and has hidden Laurence’s body, but Hippolytus replies that he has become a Christian. Decius orders him to be stoned, to be stripped from his Christian clothes, and to be tortured on a rack. Then he is brought out of the city, his feet are bound to wild horses that drag him away; he dies. Christians steal his body and bury it in a crypt next to the praetorian field (agrum praetorianum), the day of the Ides of August [= 13 August].

§ L: Seven days after the martyrdom of Hippolytus, Decius organises games. As he and the prefect Valerianus are entering the amphitheatre in a chariot, they suddenly die, Decius shouting that Hippolytus holds him captive, and Valerianus shouting that Laurence has fastened him with burning chains.

§ M: This became known to all the world, and all believers were comforted and thanked the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who crowns his saints in heaven and takes revenge against persecutors.


Text: Verrando 1991, 207-213. Summary: M. Pignot.