The key text for public apostolic tradition, anti-gnostic argument, and the chain from John to Polycarp to Irenaeus.
Pope Cornelius
c. 200 – 253 · b. Rome · Bishop of Rome
BishopMartyr
Quick facts
- Born
- c. 200, Rome
- Died
- 253, Centumcellae
- See
- Rome
- Region
- west
- Era
- ante nicene
- Significance
- Notable(2/4)
- Also known as
- Cornelius
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Bishop of Rome 251-253; opposed by the rigorist Novatian.
- Primary source
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6.43-46
Bishop of Rome 251-253; opposed by the rigorist Novatian. Cyprian of Carthage backed his legitimacy. Died in exile under Gallus, counted as martyr.
Recommended reading near Pope Cornelius
A cover-visible starting point chosen from the curated reading path, either by this figure or by their era.
Chain to Jesus
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Common questions
- Who was Pope Cornelius?
- Pope Cornelius (200–253) — Bishop of Rome 251-253; opposed by the rigorist Novatian. Cyprian of Carthage backed his legitimacy. Died in exile under Gallus, counted as martyr.
- Who did Pope Cornelius correspond with?
- Cyprian of Carthage.
- Who did Pope Cornelius oppose?
- Novatian.
- Who did Pope Cornelius succeed as bishop of Rome?
- Pope Fabian.
- Who succeeded Pope Cornelius as bishop of Rome?
- Pope Lucius I.
Sources for biography
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6.43-46 primary
- Cyprian, Ep. 44-55 primary
documented connections(4)
- corresponded (incoming) Cyprian of CarthageCyprian and Cornelius exchanged numerous letters, especially over the lapsed and the Novatianist schism.Cyprian, Ep. 44-55
- opposed (incoming) NovatianNovatian had himself consecrated bishop of Rome in opposition to Cornelius over the treatment of the lapsed.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6.43
- succeeded in see Pope FabianRoman episcopal succession after Fabian's martyrdom; the see was vacant for over a year before Cornelius' election.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6.39, 6.43
- succeeded in see (incoming) Pope Lucius IRoman episcopal succession in 253.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 7.2
External resources
📖WikipediaFull encyclopedic biography with footnotes and further reading.🔗WikidataStructured data hub linking to library catalogues, archives, and academic sources worldwide.🏛️WikisourcePublic-domain primary texts and translations (search).⛪Catholic Encyclopedia1913 reference — long entries, useful for less-known figures (search for Pope Cornelius).