Saint Caius was elected as the twenty-eighth head of the Catholic Church. He was elected on 17th December AD283, after his predecessor Pope Eutychian attained eternal rest.

Pope Caius was born in the ancient city of Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Records say that he adopted his father's name.

Pope Caius courageously led the Church for around twelve years. Though he led the Church for more than a decade, surviving information about his life is scarce.

As pope, Caius quickly began establishing rules and issuing papal decrees. One of those stated that men could not become bishops unless they served in other roles first, including subdeacons and priests.

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In order to give more stability to the Christian communities, Pope Caius divided Rome into smaller and multiple districts, entrusting their governance to Bishops.

A year after the election of Pope Caius, Diocletian was crowned the Roman Emperor. Although he was tolerant of the Church and the Catholic faith at the beginning of his reign, the Church faced severe religious persecution during his later reign.

Despite the anti-Christian measures of Emperor Diocletian, Pope Caius continued expanding the reach of the Church through the construction of new buildings. He also built and expanded several of the cemeteries in Rome.

Pope Caius suffered severe persecutions under the emperor Diocletian. Traditions attest that he was martyred for his faith on April 22, AD296.

His feast is celebrated on April 22nd, the official date of his death.
edit&transl. SM

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