Among the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, in 1850 an archaeologist working in the St. Callixtus catacombs discovered, just such a small chunk of marble with the following simple epitaph etched in it: “Fabian, Bishop, Martyr.”
Saint Fabian was the Pope for fourteen years before being martyred in 250 A.D. He was ordered to be killed by the Roman Emperor Decius. Decius’ persecution was vicious but not universal. He tried to kill the body of the Church by cutting off the head, and so sought the Pope’s blood. About 65 years later, one of Decius’ successors as emperor, Constantine, legalized Christianity, bringing to an end almost 300 years of on and off persecution.
The Decapitation of St Fabien c. 1450, Jaime Huguet the Elder 1415 - 1492
According to Eusebius of Caesarea, Fabian was a layman who went to Rome after the prior Pope’s death. He was elected Bishop of Rome due to a miraculous sign. While the names of several illustrious and noble persons were being considered, a dove suddenly descended upon the head of Fabian, of whom no one had even thought. To the assembled brethren the sight recalled the Gospel scene of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Saviour of mankind, and so, divinely inspired, as it were, they chose Fabian with joyous unanimity and placed him in the Chair of Peter.
The Election of St Fabien to the Papacy c 1450 , Jaime Huguet the Elder 1415 - 1492
The holy saint even though he did not desire for the position, accepted the role in the full knowledge that he was in the midst of a storm of persecution.
He divided Rome into 7 districts, each he appointed a deacon as well as 7 subdeacons. He instituted 4 minor orders and worked significantly on the catacombs. Pope Fabian consecrated 7 bishops as missionaries to Gaul. He was condemned of a heresy in Africa, but Origen defended Pope Fabian’s orthodoxy of his teaching.
The lifeless body of today’s saint was carried in procession to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus shortly after his death in 250 A.D. In the early 1700s, Pope Fabian’s relics were transferred to the nearby Church of Saint Sebastian, where they can be found today. A third-century letter of St. Cyprian to the deacons and priests of Rome further confirms the virtuous life and courageous death of Pope Fabian.
The Execution of St Fabien c. 1560-1575, Parish Church of Notre Dame and St Lawrence, Jézeau, Pyrenees
Pope Fabian’s martyrdom shows why the Church survived its early and vicious persecutions—it had leaders who knew how to die. The early popes didn’t give up or renounce the faith. They were fearless. They felt the cold metal of a sharp knife against their neck and still persevered. A religious society with such models of courage in its highest ranks had to survive. And it did survive.
St. Fabian shares the celebration of his liturgical feast with another martyr, Saint Sebastian on January 20.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Eustochia Calafato
2. Saint Eustochia Calafato
3. Saint Maria Cristina dell'Immacolata Concezione
4. Saint Euthymius the Great
5. Saint Henry of Uppsala
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