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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Xystus/Sixtus II, bishop and martyr of Rome

Saint ID

S00201

Number in BH

BHL 7801-7812

Reported Death Not Before

258

Reported Death Not After

258

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs, Bishops
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00362The Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome in the 530s, and re-edited before 546, in its account of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), lists the martyrdoms and burials of the following saints (here as recorded in the second edition): Xystus himself, and his six deacons, *Felicissimus, Agapitus, Ianuarius, Magnus, Vincentius and Stephanus, (all S00202) on 6 August; his archdeacon *Laurence (S00037), with four lesser martyrs (S00213) on 10 August; Xystus is recorded as buried in the cemetery of Callixtus, on the via Appia, the six deacons in the cemetery of Praetextatus, also on the via Appia, and Laurence in a crypt in the ager Veranus on the via Tiburtina, all outside Rome.
E00683The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae, a guide to saints' graves around Rome, lists those on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 625/649.
E00783Prudentius, in his poem (Crowns of the Martyrs II) on *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), tells how *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), in his last words predicted the approaching martyrdom of Laurence, his deacon. Written in Latin in Calahorra (northern Hispania), c. 400.
E01052The Depositio Martirum, a list of burials of martyrs (primarily of Rome), gives both the day of the year and the place of their burial; from the so-called Chronography of 354, compiled in Latin in Rome, c. 354.
E01526The early 5th c. Syriac Martyrology commemorates on 1 August the martyrdom of the *Maccabean Martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303), of Xystus, most likely *Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), and of *Philippos (martyr of Nicomedia, S01057) and his four companions. Preserved in a manuscript written in Edessa (northern Mesopotamia) in 411.
E01751Augustine of Hippo, in his treatise On nature and grace, when quoting a passage from Xystus, bishop of Rome (either *Xystus/Sixtus I, S00130, or *Xystus/Sixtus II, S00201), for polemical purposes, emphasises the fact that he was a martyr. Written in Latin in Hippo Regius (Numidia, central North Africa), 415/416.
E01892Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentions the feast of *Sixtus/Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), celebrated five days earlier, emphasising the sufferings of the martyrs. Homily on the Gospel of John 27, delivered in Latin, possibly in Hippo Regius (Numidia, central North Africa), 413/420.
E02197Calendar of the Church of Carthage (central North Africa) lists saints whose liturgical commemorations were celebrated in June. Written in Latin in Carthage, probably between 505 and 535.
E02199Calendar of the Church of Carthage (central North Africa) lists saints whose liturgical commemorations were celebrated in August. Written in Latin in Carthage, probably between 505 and 535.
E02486The Latin Martyrdom of *Calocerus, Parthenius, *Victoria, Anatolia and Audax (martyrs of Rome and of Picenum, S00679 and S01406), probably originally a single text though later fragmented in the manuscripts, narrates the trial and death in Rome of Calocerus and Parthenius, and their burial next to the tomb of *Sixtus (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201); the vow in Rome of Victoria and Anatolia to keep their virginity; their enforced and separate travel to different cities of Picenum (central Italy), where both effect miracles and conversions, including that of Audax who is then martyred; their death and burial in the same region. Written presumably in Picenum, at an uncertain date, probably before the late 7th c.
E02504The Latin Martyrdom of *Polychronius, Sixtus/Xystus, Laurence, Hippolytus and Others narrates the martyrdom and burial, with references to feast days and burial places, of a number of Persian and Roman saints, notably incorporating an augmented and rewritten version of the Martyrdom of Sixtus, Laurence and Hippolytus (E02513). Written presumably in Rome, possibly in the early 6th c., certainly before the early 8th c.
E02513The Latin Martyrdom of *Sixtus/Xystus, *Laurentius and *Hippolytus (martyrs of Rome, respectively S00037, S00201, S00509) 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). Written presumably in Rome, perhaps in the 5th c.
E02981A Latin sermon, wrongly attributed to Peter Chrysologus (Sermon 135), is preached for the feast of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), with references to the story of his martyrdom, in which he is associated with *Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Delivered perhaps in North Africa, in the 5th c. or later.
E04591Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (4.18), in a story about a pious lawyer, mentions two Roman churches: that dedicated to *Sixtus/Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201) on the via Appia, where the lawyer is buried, and that to *Ianuarius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00202) on the via Praenestina. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04659Latin graffito with an invocation of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). On a wall at the entrance to the 'crypt of the popes,' Cemetery of Callixtus, via Appia, Rome. Probably second half of the 4th - first half of the 5th c.
E04661Latin and Greek graffiti with invocations of *Balbina (virgin and martyr of Rome, S01849), naming one of the supplicants her alumnus, of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), and of unnamed 'holy spirits' (presumably martyrs). On a wall at the entrance to the 'crypt of the popes,' Cemetery of Callixtus, via Appia, Rome. Probably second half of the 4th - first half of the 5th c.
E04662Scarcely legible Latin and Greek graffiti with invocations of Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), and probably other deceased popes. On a wall at the entrance to the 'crypt of the popes,' Cemetery of Callixtus, via Appia, Rome. Probably second half of the 4th - first half of the 5th c.
E04663Latin and Greek graffiti with invocations of Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), and probably other deceased popes and martyrs. One of the texts mentions Jerusalem as the 'city of martyrs.' On a wall at the entrance to the 'crypt of the popes,' Cemetery of Callixtus, via Appia, Rome. Probably second half of the 4th - early 8th c.
E04682Latin graffiti with an invocation of unnamed holy spirits, probably the souls of popes and martyrs buried in the cemetery of Callixtus, and perhaps an invocation of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Found in the lower part of that cemetery. Via Appia, Rome. Proably late 4th-early 5th c.
E04910The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 6 August.
E04914The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 9 August.
E05006The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 2 November.
E05062The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 23 December.
E05070The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 31 December.
E05216Hymn (Apostolorum supparem), almost certainly by Ambrose of Milan, recounts the martyrdom of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentions *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), sometime after 386.
E05597Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 6 August at Rome of *Xystus/Sixtus (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201) and his deacons *Felicissimus and Agapitus, and subdeacons Ianuarius, Magnus, Vincentius and Stephanus (all S00202). Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05858The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in August. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E06046Mosaics in the nave of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna (northern Italy) depicting twenty-two female saints, preceded by the three Magi, processing towards the Virgin and Child, and twenty-six male saints, probably originally preceded by *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), processing towards Christ; created under Bishop Agnellus, 557/564.
E06317The Latin Life of *Gertrudis (abbess of Nivelles, ob. 659, S02402) records the saint's life, death and burial, and attributes one specific miracle to her. Written probably at Nivelles (north-east Gaul), c. 670.
E06362The decrees of a synod held by Pope Gregory the Great in 595 in St Peter’s basilica, Rome, are subscribed by presbyters from many of the city's titular churches, all dedicated to saints (Register 5.57a). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06417A document of Pope Gregory the Great (Register 11.15), of AD 600, grants Probus, abbot of the monastery of *Andrew (the apostle, S00288) and *Lucia (virgin and martyr of Syracuse, S00846) in Rome, the right to make a will, in front of witnesses, many of them priests of the titular churches of Rome. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06588The Latin Gelasian Sacramentary (or Liber Sacramentorum Romanae Ecclesiae), probably compiled around 750 near Paris using earlier material from Rome, records prayers to saints on their feast days in August.
E06788Latin papyrus preserved in Monza (northern Italy) listing the 'oils of the holy martyrs who in body rest in Rome' brought from Rome for Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards, naming many Roman saints. Written at Monza or Rome, 590/604; preserved in its original copy.
E06912The Cymiteria totius Romanae urbis lists 17 cemeteries around the city of Rome, giving their original names and the name of a prominent saint (or saints) buried there. Presumably written in Rome, possibly in the 6th c.
E06992The De Locis Sanctis, a guide to the graves of the martyrs around Rome, lists those on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E07403Gregory the Great, in his Book of Responses to Augustine, bishop of Canterbury (south-east Britain), announces that he is sending relics of *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201) to Britain, in order that they might be venerated, thus replacing a dubious local cult surrounding the body of another *Sixtus (saint venerated in Britain, S02783). Written in Latin in Rome, c. 601, in reply to a letter sent from Canterbury. Written in Latin in Rome.
E07727Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (1.30), mentions a number of martyrdoms which took place during the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251), naming *Babylas (bishop and martyr of Antioch, S00061) and his companions the *Three Children (S00319), *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201), *Laurence/Laurentius (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and *Hippolytus (martyr of Rome, S00509). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E07892The Itinerarium Malmesburiense, a guide to saints' graves around and within Rome, lists those outside the porta Appia on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E08222The Gothic Missal compiles liturgical texts for the celebration of saints' feasts throughout the year. Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710. Overview entry.
E08242The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *Sixtus/Xystus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.