Fabien (pope)

Holy Fabien, pope from 236 to 250.

Festival: January 20th

History

According to the legend, laic simple Roman and, Fabien were with Rome and among the faithful ones at the time of died of the holy pope Antère (or Anteros ) († 236) to elect its successor (January 10th 236). When a dove was posed on the head of Fabien, the hesitant assembly exclaimed: “It is worthy! ” This legend inaugurates a 14 years pontificate which will leave deep marks in this Church of the 3rd century. The persecution of the emperor Maximin I {{er}} had been rather short and the political quarrels between its transitory successors move away for a certain time the threats around the Christians. This respite makes it possible Fabien to give in order the Roman Church disturbed by many years of doctrinal conflicts and by the schism of Hippolyte.

Benefitting from one period of peace, it reveals great qualities of organizer and provides the administrative foundations of a Christian Rome. It names seven Diacre S with the head of a district each one in the capital. It takes care with an acuity particular to the good maintenance of the Catacombes where it makes bury one of its predecessor, Pontien, and the adversary of this one, Hippolyte. It continues with energy the guilty clerks of various faults, in particular Privat, a African bishop. The drafting of the acts of the Martyr S, started under Antère, continues under its pontificate. Fabien is regarded as the apostle of the Gaulle S, where it sends seven bishops missionaries.

It acquires in fact a prestige which largely overflows the town of Rome. It is towards him that for example Origène is turned, then in conflict with Démétrios, the bishop of Alexandria to be justified. At the end of 249 the new emperor starts one of most violent persecutions against the Christians. With the beginning of the year 250, the January 20th, Fabien is tortured then decapitated. It is buried in the Crypte of the Popes of the Catacombe of Saint-Calixte where its sarcophagus is found in 1915.

Bond

List of the saints of the '' gilded Légende ''

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