Fabian, Bishop & Martyr

Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of St. Fabian, who served as Bishop of Rome from 236 until his death during one of the persecutions in 250.  After Bishop Antherus died in 236, a council was convened in Rome to select his successor.  Fabian, a lay person who was not from Rome, happened to be in the crowd.  According to Eusebius, who was a historian and Bishop of Caesarea, during the election, a dove landed on Fabian’s head.  To the crowd, this strange sight recalled the gospel scene of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at the time of his baptism by John the Baptizer. The people took this as a sign that Fabian was marked out to be the new bishop, and he was at once proclaimed bishop by acclamation.

 

When Emperor Decius came to power, he ordered leading Christians to demonstrate their loyalty to Rome by offering incense to the cult images of deities which represented the Roman state. This was unacceptable to the Christians, who professed Jesus Christ as their Lord. Fabian was one of the earliest victims of Decius, dying as a martyr on this day in 250.  His broken tombstone in Rome still exists, and three words on it are still barely legible; “Fabian ... bishop ... martyr.”

 

Let us pray: Almighty God, you called Fabian to be a faithful pastor and servant of your people, and to lay down his life in witness to your Son: Grant that we, strengthened by his example and aided by his prayers, may in times of trial and persecution remain steadfast in faith and endurance, for the sake of him who laid down his life for us all, Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Diocesan Council in the Woodlands, Texas, 6 & 7 February 2015.  Michelle Allen will be our lay delegate.

 

Sunday, 8 February at 11 AM: training for Lay Eucharistic Visitors.

 

Sunday, 15 February at 11 AM: Adult Christian Education, Dr. Ahmed will join us to conclude Focus on Islam.

 

Al-Anon in Spanish meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM in Sutton Hall.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550