Who he was
Sixtus, in the old records Xystus, was elected in August 257. His origins are unknown; the Liber Pontificalis calls him a Greek, probably by mistake. A good and peaceable priest, in the words of an early writer, he restored friendly relations with the churches of Africa and Asia Minor after the baptism dispute, while keeping the Roman practice.
What he is remembered for
Under the Emperor Valerian's edict against the clergy he was seized while addressing the faithful in a catacomb on the Appian Way and beheaded on 6 August 258, together with four of his deacons; two more deacons died the same day. The chair on which he died was enshrined behind his tomb in the Catacomb of St Callistus, and he is named in the Roman Canon of the Mass. His feast is 6 August.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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