Pope Saint Dionysius

Dionysius was pope from July 22, 259 to December 26, 268. He was possibly Greek, but we are not sure. As a younger man, he was well educated and of a bright mind. Dionysius had been a presbyter since the time of Pope Stephen, at least. He was well acquainted with Bishop Dionysius of Alexandria before his papacy, as two extant letters from the bishop show. The bishop was impressed with the young man's learning as they discussed the problem of baptizing done by heretical sects, notably, the Novationists.

Just as the empire was recovering from the Diocletian persecutions which started the baptism question, Emperor Valerian began his persecutions in earnest, demanding death of many clerics in both Europe and Africa, including Pope Sixtus Ii and St. Cyprian. Clerics and laity alike went into hiding, causing mass confusion wherever the arrests were made. However, Valerian had other places to take over, and, in 259, he headed for Persia. The persecuctions let up with the emperor and many of his soldiers gone to far away lands, and it was safe enough for another election for Roman bishop to occur. It had been a year since Pope Sixtus had been martyred.

The following year, in 260, Valerian, the emperor, was captured and enslaved by the king of Persia. His son and co-emperor, Gallienus, was the new ruler. Gallienus had a very different view of the Christians. He did not want to be blamed for their deaths. Within months, he issued an edict giving the Christians back their buildings, cemeteries and other properties, not only stopping the persecutions, but making Christians a legal entity. The peace lasted until 303AD.

With toleration, Dionysius could now start reorganizing the episcopacy of Rome. He indicated borders for the parishes, assigned presbyters to the various churches and brought the Church out into the open. He still had the problem with the Novationist heresy. But at the same time, another problem came up: the heresy of whether or not there are three Gods or one. The bishop, Dionysius of Alexandria, was front and center in the controversy. A sermon he made was interpreted as questioning the relationship between God the Father and the Logos, whether Jesus was co-existent with God or made by Him. Dionysius called a synod in Rome to determine a path of action. He wrote to the bishop, who quickly pointed out mistakes in interpretation of what he said. The bishop of Rome and the bishop of Alexandria put forth arguments regarding the proof of the Trinity, and predated Nicea in using the word "consubstantial", a word indicating the relationship between the Father and the Son. A word argued over heartily in the next hundred years. The two Dionysius' made the seats of Rome and Alexandria seats of orthodoxy.

Not only theology was a concern of Dionysius. In Cappadocia, the Goths, the barbarians from northern Europe, were overrunning the land. Much was destroyed and many were taken hostage. Dionysius, harking back to other bishops who had sent aid, sent money for repairs and ransoms. The Goths eventually converted to Christianity in large numbers.

Dionysius died a natural death and was baried in the cemetery of Callixtus.

Pope St. Dionysius, pray that we may keep our faith.