Location:Probably Vaucelles - Date:Shortly before 1250 (incorporated in the first 'Passionaire français') (BHL 3961-3962) (Perrot, 1992: 20, 180-189) - Commission: /

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Biography of S. Hippolytus of Rome (+258). Hippolytus was a soldier appointed as guard at the prison of Rome during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259). One day he was commissioned, together with his companion Eusebius, to keep guard over the martyr Laurentius, who was waiting for his execution. Nevertheless, Hippolytus was founded by the courage, fervor and determination of the imprisoned believer that he along with nineteen others converted to Christianity and had his entire household baptized. After St. Laurentius cruel execution, Hippolytus gave his body a dignified funeral, which was prohibited by the Roman government. For this act Hippolytus was arrested and sentenced to death by Emperor Valerian. As punishment, the emperor forced him to watch the torture and beheading of his household and companion Eusebius. Hippolytus himself was tied to the tail of a wild horse and dragged as long as he succumbed to his injuries.

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VAN DER LINDEN (S.), De Heiligen (Antwerpen, 1999) 397-398