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Pope Evaristus

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Pope Saint
Evaristus
Evaristus.jpg
Papacy began c. 99
Papacy ended c. 107
Predecessor Clement I
Successor Alexander I
Personal details
Birth name Evaristus or Aristus
Born 1st century AD
Bethlehem, Judaea
Died c. 107
Rome, Roman Empire
Sainthood
Feast day 26 October

Pope Evaristus (died c. 107) is accounted the fifth Bishop of Rome, holding office from c. 99 to his death c. 107.[1][2] He was also known as Aristus.

Biography[edit]

Little is known about St. Evaristus. According to the Liber Pontificalis, he came from a family of Hellenic Jewish origin living in Bethlehem. He was elected during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the time of the second general persecution, and succeeded St. Clement in the See of Rome.

Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History IV, I, stated that Evaristus died in the 12th year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan, after holding the office of bishop of the Romans for eight years. He is said by the Liber Pontificalis to have divided Rome into several "titles," or parishes, assigning a priest to each, and appointed seven deacons for the city.

He is usually accorded the title of martyr; however, there is no confirmation of this in the case of Pope Evaristus, who is listed without that title in the Roman Martyrology, with a feast day on 26 October.[3] It is probable that St. Evaristus was buried near St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican.[4] It is also probable that St. John the apostle died during the beginning of Evaristus' reign.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wikisource-logo.svg "Pope St. Evaristus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. 
  2. ^ According to Annuario Pontificio, he died in 108.
  3. ^ "Martyrologium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7)
  4. ^ Catholic Online – Saints & Angels: "St. Evaristus"

External links[edit]

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Clement I
Bishop of Rome
Pope

98–105
Succeeded by
Alexander I