Hyginus

Hyginus (Athens, ¿? - Rome, c. 140) was the ninth pope of the Catholic Church from 137 to 140.

A philosopher of Athenian origin, during his pontificate Gnostic doctrines arose in Rome at the hands of figures such as Marcion, Valentin and Cerdon.

According to the Liber Pontificalis, during his pontificate he organized the minor orders in the clergy and defined the degrees of the ecclesiastical hierarchy that, due to the persecutions suffered by Trajan, Hadrian and Antonino Pius, had ended up confused.

Tradition affirms that he established the figure of godparents in baptism, in order for the baptized to be spiritually guided.

Higinio also established that all the temples had to be consecrated and that for their construction they had the authorization of the corresponding bishop.

Although there are no historical sources to substantiate them, he is considered a martyr by the Catholic Church, his festival being celebrated on January 11.

He was buried next to Saint Peter in the Vatican Necropolis.