Ss. Pontian and Hippolytus

Today is the feast day of Ss. Pontian and Hippolytus. St. Pontian was born in Rome. He was elected the 18th pope July 21, 230. He ended a schism in the church. Emperor Maximinus Thrax forced him to go to Sardinia to work in mines. The saint stepped down as pope on Sept. 28, 235, to let another lead the church. St. Pontian died in Sardinia in 235. St. Hippolytus of Rome was a Roman soldier who lived in the third century. Although he was supposed to guard Christian prisoners, he ended up converting to Christianity. He was martyred after helping with the burials of some of the martyred Christians who were under his watch. St. Hippolytus is patron saint of prison guards.