Difference between revisions of "Pope Evaristus" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Pope Saint Evaristus''' was the fifth [[pope]], holding office from c. 99 to 107 [[AD]]<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05646a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: "Pope St. Evaristus"]</ref> or from 99 to 108.<ref> "[[Annuario Pontificio]]"</ref> He was also known as '''Aristus'''.
 
  
Little is known about St Evaristus. According to the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', he came from a family of [[Greece|Hellenic]] [[Jewish]] origin. He was elected during the reign of the [[Roman Emperor]] [[Domitian]], the time of the [[Persecution of Christians|second general persecution]].
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'''Pope Saint Evaristus''' was the fifth [[bishop of Rome]], holding office from c. 99 to 107-108 C.E.. He was also known as '''Aristus'''.
  
[[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.
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According to the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', his father was a [[Greece|Hellenic]] [[Jew]] named [[Judah]] from [[Bethlehem]]. This source related that Evaristus was was elected bishop at Rome during the reign of the [[Roman Emperor]] [[Domitian]], when both Jews and Christians were heavily persecuted, according the Christian tradition. However, [[Eusebius]], in his ''Ecclesiastical History'' (IV, I) puts his election later, saying that Evaristus died in year 12 of the reign of the [[Roman Emperor]] [[Trajan]] after holding the office of bishop for eight years.
  
It was once supposed that all the early Popes were [[martyr]]s. 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 October 26.<ref>"Martyrologium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 8820972107)</ref>
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Evaristus reportedly succeeded [[Clement of Rome|Clement]] as the fourth successor of Saint Peter. However, contemporary scholars generally hold that a single bishop did not yet rule at Rome, and the office of pope is therefor thought to be attribute to Evaristus and other Roman church leaders retroactively by later writers.
  
St Evaristus succeeded St Clement in the See of Rome during the reign of Trajan and governed the Church about eight years, as the fourth successor of St Peter. The Liber Pontificalis says that he was the son of a Hellenic Jew of Bethlehem, and, certainly incorrectly, that he 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, but his martyrdom is not proved. It is probable that St Evaristus was buried near St Peter's tomb in the Vatican. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on October 26.<ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=633 Catholic Online - Saints & Angels: "St. Evaristus"]</ref>
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The ''Liber Pontificalis'' also reports, that he divided Rome into several "titles" or parishes, assigning a priest to each, and appointed seven deacons for the city. However, this, too, is thought to be anachronistic, by both Catholic and secular scholars.
  
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He reportedly died as a martyr and buried near SaintPeter's tomb in the Vatican.
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==Legacy==
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Very little is known with certainty about Evaristus. His death as a martyr continues a tradition that supposes all the early popes were [[martyr]]s and saints. However, in his case there is no confirmation of this, and he is not listed as a martyr in current Catholic tradition. 
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Two decretals were ascribed to him by [[Pseudo-Isidore]], but they are now considered to be forgeries. His feast occurs October 26.
  
 
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==Notes==
 
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==References==
 
==References==
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Revision as of 03:30, 26 November 2008

Evaristus
Evaristus.jpg
Birth name Evaristus or Aristus
Papacy began c. 99
Papacy ended c. 107
Predecessor Clement I
Successor Alexander I
Born 1st century AD
Bethlehem, Palestine
Died c. 107
Rome

Pope Saint Evaristus was the fifth bishop of Rome, holding office from c. 99 to 107-108 C.E. He was also known as Aristus.

According to the Liber Pontificalis, his father was a Hellenic Jew named Judah from Bethlehem. This source related that Evaristus was was elected bishop at Rome during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, when both Jews and Christians were heavily persecuted, according the Christian tradition. However, Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History (IV, I) puts his election later, saying that Evaristus died in year 12 of the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan after holding the office of bishop for eight years.

Evaristus reportedly succeeded Clement as the fourth successor of Saint Peter. However, contemporary scholars generally hold that a single bishop did not yet rule at Rome, and the office of pope is therefor thought to be attribute to Evaristus and other Roman church leaders retroactively by later writers.

The Liber Pontificalis also reports, that he divided Rome into several "titles" or parishes, assigning a priest to each, and appointed seven deacons for the city. However, this, too, is thought to be anachronistic, by both Catholic and secular scholars.

He reportedly died as a martyr and buried near SaintPeter's tomb in the Vatican.

Legacy

Very little is known with certainty about Evaristus. His death as a martyr continues a tradition that supposes all the early popes were martyrs and saints. However, in his case there is no confirmation of this, and he is not listed as a martyr in current Catholic tradition.

Two decretals were ascribed to him by Pseudo-Isidore, but they are now considered to be forgeries. His feast occurs October 26.


Roman Catholic Popes
Preceded by:
Clement I
Bishop of Rome
Pope

98–105
Succeeded by: Alexander I

References
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External links

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