Pope Evaristus

Infobox Pope
English name=Evaristus


birth_name=Evaristus or Aristus
term_start=ca. 98
term_end=ca. 105
predecessor=Clement I
successor=Alexander I
birth_date=Unknown
birthplace=Unknown
dead=dead|death_date=ca. 105
deathplace=Rome, Italy| infobox popestyles
papal name=Pope Evaristus
dipstyle=His Holiness
offstyle=Your Holiness
relstyle=Holy Father
deathstyle=Saint|

Pope Saint Evaristus was the fifth pope, holding office from 98/99 to 106/107 ( [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05646a.htm "Catholic Encyclopedia"] ) or from 99 to 108 ("Annuario Pontificio"). He was also known as Aristus.

Little is known about Evaristus. According to the "Liber Pontificalis", he came from a family of Hellenic origin. He was elected during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the time of the second general persecution.

Eusebius, in "Ecclesiastical History IV", I, states 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 8 years.

It was once supposed that all the early Popes were martyrs. There is no confirmation of this in the case of Pope Evaristus, who is listed without that title in the Roman Martyrology, with feast day on 26 October. ["Martyrologium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7)]

St. Evaristus succeeded St. Clement in the See of Rome in the reign of Trajan and governed the Church about eight years, being 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 October 26th.Ref http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=633

References

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05646a.htm "Pope St. Evaristus" in the 1913 "Catholic Encyclopedia"]
* [http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/01_01_0097-0105-_Evaristus,_Sanctus,_Martyr.html Writings attributed to him]