Timeless Christians

Fabian

Fabian, Bishop of Rome was like a great general. He risked his own life and set the example for his followers.

He became Bishop of Rome in a most unlikely manner. Writing about one hundred years after Fabian's death, the historian Eusebius tells us that the brethren were assembled in church in Rome to choose a new bishop. A dove settled on the head of Fabian, a farmer who had recently come from the country. The Christians took this as heaven's sign that Fabian was to be their next leader.

He proved to be a good leader, ruling the Roman church from early in February 236 until January 20, 250. He battled a heresy in North Africa. Among his other actions was to create a new administration for the church in Rome. He may have sent missionaries to France, and he had men gather records of martyrs.

Fabian became a martyr himself, probably the first Christian killed by Decius in his empire-wide persecution of the church. Thus Fabian set a noble example for those who came after him. Fragments of his tombstone have been found. They say, "Fabian, Bishop, Martyr." Thus the very stone endorses the traditional account of this martyr for Christ.

by Dan Graves