Philosophoumena

work by Hippolytus

Also known as: “Philosophumena”

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July 1, 2026

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The Philosophumena is a work by Saint Hippolytus of Rome, an early Christian martyr and the first antipope. Written in Greek around the 3rd century CE, it is also known as Refutation of All Heresies. The text aims to expose and refute various Christian heresies by tracing their origins to false pagan philosophies. Hippolytus, a scholar and theologian, was known for his conservative ethical views and his defense of the distinction between the persons of the Trinity. His writings, though sometimes embittered, provide valuable insights into early Christian rites and liturgies, particularly the Apostolic Tradition, which is now generally attributed to him.1

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St. Zephyrinus
…information on Zephyrinus is Hippolytus’s Philosophoumena, in which he describes the pope as a weak man “unskilled in the church’s rule” and dominated by Callixtus. Hippolytus considered both men culpable for being unwilling to enter the theological debate on the Trinity. Zephyrinus died during the persecution of Christians that was…
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…information on Zephyrinus is Hippolytus’s Philosophoumena, in which he describes the pope as a weak man “unskilled in the church’s rule” and dominated by Callixtus. Hippolytus considered both men culpable for being unwilling to enter the theological debate on the Trinity. Zephyrinus died during the persecution of Christians that was…
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Saint Hippolytus of Rome
…work is considered to be Philosophumena (one part of a larger work called Refutation of All Heresies), which seeks to show that the various Christian heresies are traceable to false pagan philosophies. The church order, known as the Apostolic Tradition (extant only in later versions; Eng. trans. by G. Dix,…
Read More
…work is considered to be Philosophumena (one part of a larger work called Refutation of All Heresies), which seeks to show that the various Christian heresies are traceable to false pagan philosophies. The church order, known as the Apostolic Tradition (extant only in later versions; Eng. trans. by G. Dix,…
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St. Callixtus I
…Callixtus before the discovery of Philosophumena by Hippolytus, a work that is in part a pamphlet directed against him. He is venerated as the patron saint of cemetery workers.
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…Callixtus before the discovery of Philosophumena by Hippolytus, a work that is in part a pamphlet directed against him. He is venerated as the patron saint of cemetery workers.
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