Difference between revisions of "Pope Telesphorus" - New World Encyclopedia
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'''Pope Saint Telesphorus''' was [[bishop of Rome]] from 126 or 127 to 137 or 138, during the reigns of Roman Emperors [[Hadrian]] and [[Antoninus Pius]]. He was [[Greek people|Greek]] by birth. | '''Pope Saint Telesphorus''' was [[bishop of Rome]] from 126 or 127 to 137 or 138, during the reigns of Roman Emperors [[Hadrian]] and [[Antoninus Pius]]. He was [[Greek people|Greek]] by birth. | ||
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Some sources depict Telesphorus as previously being a [[hermit]] living on [[Mount Carmel]], and the [[Carmelites]] venerate him as a patron saint of the order. | Some sources depict Telesphorus as previously being a [[hermit]] living on [[Mount Carmel]], and the [[Carmelites]] venerate him as a patron saint of the order. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Biography== |
| − | Telesphorus is traditionally reckoned as being the seventh Roman bishop in succession | + | Telesphorus is traditionally reckoned as being the seventh Roman bishop in succession, with the first being [[Saint Peter]]. According to the testimony of [[Irenæus]] (''Against Heresies'' III.3.3), he suffered a "glorious" martyrdom. Although all early popes are called martyrs by later sources such as the ''[[Liber Ponificalis]]'', Telesphorus is the first to whom Ireneaus, writing considerably earlier, gives this title. |
Eusebius (Church History iv.7; iv.14) places the beginning of his pontificate in the twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Hadrian. (128-129) and gives the date of his death as being in the first year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-139). Other sources, however... | Eusebius (Church History iv.7; iv.14) places the beginning of his pontificate in the twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Hadrian. (128-129) and gives the date of his death as being in the first year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-139). Other sources, however... | ||
| − | A fragment of a letter from Irenæus | + | A fragment of a letter from Irenæus to Pope [[Victor I]] during the [[Easter]] controversy testifies that Telesphorus was one of the Roman bishops who always celebrated Easter on [[Sunday]], rather than on other days of the week depending on the calculation of the Jewish [[Passover]]. Unlike Victor, however, Telesphorus remained in communion with those communities that did not follow this custom. |
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| − | The Telesphorus commemorated on 5 January in the [[General Roman Calendar as in 1954]] was in fact not the Pope but an otherwise unknown [[Africa Province|African]] martyr | + | None of the other statements as to liturgical and other decisions instituted by Telesphours ppe are considered genuine, even by Catholic scholars, as they are based on sources of a later date which display an agenda intended to prove the [[papacy]]'s authority by exaggerating its legislative role. In the ''Roman Martyrology'' his feast is listed under January 5. The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates it on February 22. The Telesphorus commemorated on 5 January in the [[General Roman Calendar as in 1954]] was in fact not the Pope but an otherwise unknown [[Africa Province|African]] martyr |
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Revision as of 03:16, 20 December 2008
- For other uses of the term, see Telesphorus.
| Saint Telesphorus | |
|---|---|
| 150px | |
| Birth name | Telesphorus |
| Papacy began | 126 |
| Papacy ended | 137 |
| Predecessor | Sixtus I |
| Successor | Hyginus |
| Born | ??? Greece |
| Died | 137 Rome, Italy |
Pope Saint Telesphorus was bishop of Rome from 126 or 127 to 137 or 138, during the reigns of Roman Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. He was Greek by birth.
Irenaeus of Lyons recognized Telesphorus as a martyr, the first pope whom Irenaeus designates as such after Peter. In the Roman Martyrology his feast is celebrated on January 2. The Greek Church celebrates it on 22 February.
The Liber Pontificalis credits him with intiiating the tradition of Christmas Midnight Masses, the celebration of Easter on Sundays, the keeping of a seven-week Lent before Easter, and the singing of the Gloria. However historians doubt that such attributions are accurate.
Some sources depict Telesphorus as previously being a hermit living on Mount Carmel, and the Carmelites venerate him as a patron saint of the order.
Biography
Telesphorus is traditionally reckoned as being the seventh Roman bishop in succession, with the first being Saint Peter. According to the testimony of Irenæus (Against Heresies III.3.3), he suffered a "glorious" martyrdom. Although all early popes are called martyrs by later sources such as the Liber Ponificalis, Telesphorus is the first to whom Ireneaus, writing considerably earlier, gives this title.
Eusebius (Church History iv.7; iv.14) places the beginning of his pontificate in the twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Hadrian. (128-129) and gives the date of his death as being in the first year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-139). Other sources, however...
A fragment of a letter from Irenæus to Pope Victor I during the Easter controversy testifies that Telesphorus was one of the Roman bishops who always celebrated Easter on Sunday, rather than on other days of the week depending on the calculation of the Jewish Passover. Unlike Victor, however, Telesphorus remained in communion with those communities that did not follow this custom.
None of the other statements as to liturgical and other decisions instituted by Telesphours ppe are considered genuine, even by Catholic scholars, as they are based on sources of a later date which display an agenda intended to prove the papacy's authority by exaggerating its legislative role. In the Roman Martyrology his feast is listed under January 5. The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates it on February 22. The Telesphorus commemorated on 5 January in the General Roman Calendar as in 1954 was in fact not the Pope but an otherwise unknown African martyr
| Roman Catholic Popes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Sixtus I |
Bishop of Rome Pope 125–136 |
Succeeded by: Hyginus |
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0140513124.
- Kelly, J.N.D. Oxford Dictionary of Popes. (1986). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
External links
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