Episode 1440: St Pope Sixtus III

St. Pope Sixtus III, also known as Pope Saint Sixtus III, was the 44th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Pope from 432 to 440 AD during a critical period in the history of the Church. Here's a brief biography of St. Pope Sixtus III:Show more

Early Life: St. Sixtus III was born in Rome, possibly in the early 4th century, although exact details about his birthdate and early life are not well-documented.

Papacy: Sixtus III became Pope on July 31, 432 AD, succeeding Pope Celestine I. His papacy coincided with a period of theological disputes and challenges within the Church.

Nestorian Controversy: One of the major issues during his papacy was the Nestorian controversy, which centered around the teachings of Nestorius, the Archbishop of Constantinople. Nestorius' views were considered heretical by many in the Church because they seemed to separate the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ. Pope Sixtus III played a significant role in condemning Nestorius' teachings and reaffirming the orthodox understanding of the Incarnation.
Let me provide a little more on Netorianism.
The Nestorian Controversy was a significant theological dispute that emerged in the Christian Church during the 5th century. It revolved around the teachings of Nestorius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, and his understanding of the nature of Christ. Here is more information on the Nestorian Controversy:

1. Nestorius' Teaching: Nestorius's theological position, known as Nestorianism, focused on a distinction between the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that Christ had two separate and distinct natures: a divine nature (the Logos or Word of God) and a human nature (the man Jesus). According to Nestorius, these two natures coexisted in Christ but did not fully unite into one person. This led to the belief that there were two separate "Christs" within the same body, one divine and one human.

2. Opposing Views: Nestorius's teachings were met with opposition, particularly in the Western Church and by theologians such as Cyril of Alexandria. Cyril argued that Nestorius's views were incompatible with the traditional Christian understanding of the Incarnation, which taught that Jesus Christ was both fully divine and fully human in one person. Cyril believed that Nestorianism undermined the unity of Christ's person and jeopardized the belief in the divinity of Jesus.

3. The Council of Ephesus (431 AD): The controversy reached a climax at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, which was convened to address the teachings of Nestorius. The council was presided over by Cyril of Alexandria. At this council, Nestorius's teachings were officially condemned as heretical. The council affirmed the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which stated that in Jesus Christ, the divine and human natures are united in one person (hypostasis) without confusion or separation.

4. Aftermath: Following the Council of Ephesus, Nestorius was deposed from his position as Archbishop of Constantinople, and his followers, known as Nestorians, faced persecution. Nestorianism continued to exist in some Eastern regions, particularly in the Persian Empire, where it found support. However, it gradually declined over time.

5. Legacy: The Nestorian Controversy played a significant role in the development of Christological doctrine within the early Christian Church. The outcome of the controversy, the affirmation of the hypostatic union, became a cornerstone of Christian orthodoxy and was further clarified and refined in subsequent ecumenical councils, such as the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD.

In summary, the Nestorian Controversy was a theological dispute over the nature of Christ that ultimately led to the condemnation of Nestorius's teachings and the reaffirmation of the orthodox Christian belief in the hypostatic union, the unity of Christ's divine and human natures in one person.
You’ve heard me say to protestants when did you feel the Catholic church was no longer the church of christ. Well you would have had no church.

Construction Projects: Pope Sixtus III was also known for his contributions to church architecture. He oversaw the construction and restoration of several churches in Rome, including the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), one of the major basilicas of Rome and an important Marian shrine.
Chains of Peter:
Pope Sixtus III is traditionally associated with the finding of the chains of St. Peter, also known as the Chains of Saint Peter or the Chains of St. Peter's Liberation. According to Christian tradition, these chains were believed to have been used to bind St. Peter during his various imprisonments in Rome.

The story goes that when Pope Sixtus III was overseeing the construction of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome (which is now known as St. Peter's Basilica), he received a vision or a divine revelation guiding him to the location where the chains of St. Peter were buried. These chains were believed to have been used to imprison St. Peter both in Jerusalem and in Rome.

Pope Sixtus III ordered excavations, and miraculously, the chains were reportedly discovered and brought to the surface. When the two chains from different imprisonments were brought together, they were said to miraculously fuse or join together, symbolizing the unity of the Church.

These chains became important relics in the Christian tradition and were venerated by the faithful. Today, a portion of these chains is preserved as a relic in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) in Rome. The church itself is known for its famous statue of Moses by Michelangelo and is a place of pilgrimage for many Catholics.
Death: Pope Sixtus III passed away on August 19, 440 AD. He was buried in the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls in Rome.

Canonization: St. Pope Sixtus III is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on March 28th.

St. Pope Sixtus III is remembered for his efforts in defending orthodox Christian doctrine and for his contributions to church architecture. His papacy left a lasting impact on the Church during a pivotal period in its history.