In 236, an assembly was held at Rome to elect a pope as successor to Antherus. In the throng was Fabian, a layman from the countryside of another part of Italy. Suddenly, according to the historian Eusebius, a dove flew over the crowd and lighted on Fabian’s head. In spite of the fact that he was both a total stranger and not even a candidate for election, the people unanimously chose Fabian to be pope, shouting, “He is worthy! He is worthy!” Fabian was ordained to the episcopate without opposition.

During his fourteen years as pontiff, Fabian made numerous administrative reforms. He developed the parochial structure of the Church in Rome, and established the custom of venerating martyrs at their shrines in the catacombs. He also appointed seven deacons and seven sub-deacons to write the lives of the martyrs, so that their deeds would not be forgotten in times to come.

In the year 250, the Emperor Decius ordered everyone within the Roman Empire to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods and for the welfare of the emperor. The refusal of many Christians to do this resulted in a number of them being executed. As the head of his community, Fabian was one of the earliest to be martyred, setting a courageous example for the rest of the church to emulate.

Cyprian of Carthage, in a letter to Fabian’s successor Cornelius, wrote that Fabian was an incomparable man. “The glory of his death,” Cyprian commented, “befitted the purity and holiness of his life.”

Fabian was buried in the catacombs of Rome, where his grave marker still exists. It is in fragments, but the words “Fabian . . . bishop . . . martyr” remain dimly visible.