St. Fabian

Fabian governed the Roman Church for fourteen years and became one of the first martyrs of Emperor Decius's persecution.

The story

Fabian became bishop of Rome in January 236. Eusebius of Caesarea, writing in the fourth century, relates that Fabian was a layman who had come to Rome when Christians gathered to elect a new bishop. A dove reportedly descended upon his head, recalling the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ. The assembly then chose him unanimously. The dove is an early tradition recorded by Eusebius, but its miraculous character cannot be independently verified.

Fabian led the Roman Church for about fourteen years, a comparatively peaceful period before the persecution of Decius. Later sources credit him with dividing Rome into seven ecclesiastical districts served by deacons and notaries. These officials cared for the poor and recorded the deeds of martyrs. The precise development of this organization is uncertain, but Fabian was remembered as an effective administrator. Eusebius also reports that Fabian corresponded with the theologian Origen concerning questions about Origen's teaching.

In 249 Decius became emperor. Early in 250 he ordered inhabitants of the empire to perform a public sacrifice for the welfare of the state and obtain certificates showing compliance. Christians who refused faced imprisonment, torture, or death. Fabian was among the first prominent victims at Rome. He died on January 20, 250. The exact manner of his death is not known, but the Roman Church immediately honored him as a martyr.

St. Cyprian of Carthage received news of Fabian's death from the clergy of Rome and praised the faithfulness of his witness. Fabian was buried in the papal crypt of the Catacomb of Callistus on the Appian Way. His original Greek epitaph, identifying him as bishop and martyr, was discovered in the nineteenth century. Fabian's cult arose centuries before the later papal process of canonization, so there is no individual canonization date. In the General Roman Calendar, his optional memorial is observed on January 20.

What Fabian teaches

St. Fabian shows that orderly service and courageous witness belong together in the Church's mission. Martyrdom is the supreme witness to the truth of the faith, as the Catechism explains in CCC 2473.

Patronage

Rome, popes, persecuted Christians, pastors.

Prayer

God our Father, you strengthened St. Fabian to govern your Church wisely and to remain faithful unto death. Through his intercession, grant your pastors prudence and give persecuted Christians courage and hope. Amen.