(A.D. 250.)
[Roman Martyrology. Authorities: Eusebius, lib. vi. c. 29 and 39;
the Liber de Romanis Pontificibus; S. Jerome, lib. de Eccles.
Script. c. 54; a letter of S. Cyprian (55) to Cornelius, &c.]
Saint Fabian succeeded Anteros in the see of Rome. It is said that
Fabian had come to Rome out of the country, and, by divine grace, he was
singled out in a very remarkable manner to be bishop. For, when all the
brethren had assembled in the church for the purpose of ordaining him
that should succeed in the episcopate, though there were many eminent
and illustrious men present, yet no one thought of any but Fabian. They
relate that a dove, suddenly fluttering down, rested upon his head,
bringing up before their minds the scene when the Holy Spirit of old
came down on the Saviour. Thereupon the whole body exclaimed with one
voice, as if moved by the Spirit of God, "He is worthy!"[91] and without
delay they took him and placed him upon the episcopal throne.[92]
S. Fabian governed the Church of Rome for sixteen years. He is said by
some to have converted and baptized the Emperor Philip. "Philip, after a
reign of seven years," says Eusebius, "was succeeded by Decius, who, in
consequence of his hatred to Philip, raised a persecution against the
Church, in which Fabian suffered martyrdom, and was succeeded, as Bishop
of Rome, by Cornelius."[93]
Relics, in the churches of S. Martin de la Monte, S. Praxedes, a head
and an arm in that of S. Sebastian, in Rome.
In art, he appears with the pontifical tiara and a dove.