Saint Fabian was elected as the twentieth Pope of the Catholic Church succeeding Saint Anterus.

Pope Fabian was born in AD200 into the Fabius family, a noble family in Italy. He was a prominent figure in the early church.

Finding a successor to Saint Anterus who reigned as the Pontiff for only forty-three days, was a matter of great concern to those gathered in Rome. The Church historian Eusebius attests that Fabian, who came to Rome before the election of the next Pope owing to his interest in the procedure for the election of the Pope, was miraculously and divinely chosen as the twentieth Shepherd of the Church and Successor of Peter.

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The congregation of priests and faithful gathered in Rome to elect a Pope, engaged in discussions about the successor, and names of many holy and noble persons were suggested. But miraculously and divinely, a dove suddenly landed on the head of Fabian, who was standing amongst faithful. Having witnessed this miraculous and divine event, the church leadership and faithful who were gathered there, divinely inspired by God proclaimed in one voice to elect Fabian as Saint Peters successor. Following this, the church leadership elected and anointed him as Pope. Saint Cyprian of Carthage attests that Pope Fabian was a great Pontiff who led the Church in harmony.

Pope Fabian divided Rome into seven districts and assigned them to seven deacons, for the smooth growth and administration of the Church.

It was due to Pope Fabian’s initiative that the mortal remains of Pope Pontianus, who was sent to forced labor in the mines of Sardinia and later died there, and Saint Hippolytus were brought back to Rome and given befitting burial.

Historical records attest that the Church Father Origen, who was excommunicated by Pope Pontianus, proved the authenticity of his studies and his adherence to church teachings to Pope Fabian.

Pope Fabian's reign remained peaceful until Decius became the Roman emperor. As soon as Decius became emperor, the very first of his acts were to arrest Pope Fabian and imprison him.

As a result of the brutal and merciless torture he endured in prison, Pope Fabian passed away in AD250.

The Catholic Church venerates him as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated on January 20.
-edit&transl. SM