Common Prayer

Lesser Feasts & Fasts

Fabian, Bishop and Martyr, 250

January 20

In 236, an assembly was held at Rome to elect a pope as successor to Antherus. In the throng was Fabian, a layman from the countryside of another part of Italy. Suddenly, according to the historian Eusebius, a dove flew over the crowd and lighted on Fabian’s head. In spite of the fact that he was both a total stranger and not even a candidate for election, the people unanimously chose Fabian to be pope, shouting, “He is worthy! He is worthy!” Fab…

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