Saint Evaristus, Pope and Martyr, October 26

Saint Evaristus, Pope and Martyr, October 26

Saint Evaristus Ordaining Clergy

Evaristus was the successor of Saint Clement in the See of Rome. The Pontifical Book saith that he was by birth a Grecian Jew, and held the Popedom in the reign of the Emperor Trajan; and that it was he who divided amongst the presbyters of Rome the titles of the basilicas in the City, and commanded that seven Deacons should attend the Bishop when he was executing his Office of Gospel preaching. It is said also that it was he who commanded, in accordance with the tradition of the Apostles, that marriages should be celebrated openly, and that a priest should be asked to invoke a blessing thereon. The Book also saith that he ruled the Church for nine years and three months, and held four Ordinations in the month of December, wherein he ordained seventeen priests, two deacons and fifteen bishops. Having finished his testimony, he was buried upon the Vatican, hard by the grave of the Prince of the Apostles, on October 26, 107. He is revered as a Martyr, albeit no record of his martyrdom remaineth.

Collect:

Be merciful to the people of thy flock, O Lord, eternal Shepherd and Bishop of the souls of men; and keep us in thy continual protection, at the intercession of thy blessed Martyr, the holy Father Evaristus, whom thou didst raise up in thy Church to be thine under-shepherd, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.