Saint Sixtus III and Saint Leo I – Theotokos celebrated and preached (Pontifical Doctrine IV, nos. 19-29)

# Saint Sixtus III (432-440) and Saint Leo I (440-461)Saint Sixtus III (432-440) and Saint Leo I (440-461) are the two popes who immediately followed the Council of Ephesus, theologically and liturgically solidifying its definitions. Sixtus III built the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, while Leo I developed a rich Marian theology among the Western Fathers, particularly in his *Orations for Christmas*.## Collection: *Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 19-29*## Popes: * Saint Sixtus III (432-440) | Saint Leo I, the Great (440-461)## Council: * Council of Chalcedon (451), nn. 23## Theme: * Celebration of the Theotokos, virginity in papal preaching### Saint Sixtus III (432-440), n. 19Sixtus III is the pope associated with the celebration of Ephesus. His most visible work is the reconstruction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, dedicated to the Mother of God shortly after the definition of Ephesus—the first major Marian sanctuary in Western Christianity. The inscription on the triumphal arch attempts to capture the Ephesian definition in imagery: *”Virgo Maria, tibi Xystus nova tecta dicavi / digna salutiferi talia dona tui”* (Virgin Mary, I, Sixtus, have dedicated these new roofs to you / worthy of such gifts from your Savior).This document, n. 19 in *Doctrina Pontificia IV*, recalls Sixtus’ pontifical text on the Virgin Mary, in direct continuity with Ephesus.### Saint Leo I, the Great (440-461), nn. 20-28Saint Leo I is one of the greatest doctors of Western Marian theology. His *Christmas Orations* (numbered I, II, VI, VII, IX in *Doctrina Pontificia IV*) are a perfect blend of dogmatic depth and eloquent rhetoric. Documents nn. 20-28 cover:– **nn. 20-22:** Epistles on the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, doctrinal texts addressed to bishops and the Emperor – **n. 24 (Oration I for Christmas):** Mary, Mother virgin, *”Nativitas Christi ex intacta Virgine procedens”* (The birth of Christ from a virgin untouched) – **n. 25 (Oration II for Christmas):** Mary forever virgin, Leo emphasizes her virginity in childbirth: *”intacta virginitas, quae nullum sensit corruptionem”* (an untouched virginity that has felt no corruption) – **n. 26-27 (Orations VI and VII for Christmas):** Mary, Mother virgin, dual motherhood: carnal and spiritual – **n. 28-29 (Orations IX for Christmas and Epiphany):** Mary, immaculate Virgin mother, anticipating the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception: *”de Spiritu Sancto et Virgine natus est… nullum peccatum contraxit”* (born of the Holy Spirit and a virgin… no sin was contracted)## Key Text by Saint Leo I> *”Haec enim generatio singularis est atque praecipua, quam nec Venus impulit, nec Lucina ministravit; sed Spiritus Sancti gratia perfecit. Haec nativitas non habet pari, quae divinae potentiae singulare miraculum est; propterea mater quidem non ignoratur, sed pater nusquam reperitur… Deus natus est in homine”* > > (This generation is indeed singular and principal, not impelled by Venus nor assisted by Lucina, but perfected by the grace of the Holy Spirit. This birth has no equal, which is a singular miracle of divine power; therefore the mother is known, but the father is found nowhere… God was born in man.)## Council of Chalcedon (451), Can. 23The fourth ecumenical council, presided over by the legates of Leo I, confirms the definition of Ephesus and adds to it the precision of the two natures in Christ, thereby reaffirming Mary’s divine motherhood: she is truly Mother of the Word who is one person with two natures, divine and human.## Additional ReadingExplore **Mariology**, the **Lumen Gentium cap. VIII**, **Redemptoris Mater**, and **Post-Graduate Mariology**.

Also see: Theotokos: What Does «Mother of God» Mean and Why Is It Dogma?