Roman Catholic Pope. Greek, probably from Calabria (now Italy). Little is known of his life. The 8th occupant of the Holy See, elected in 126 AD. His papacy ended 137 AD. He was predecessor of Pope Sixtus I and successor of Pope Hyginus. Pope Telesphorus started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass and it was his decision, that the "Gloria" during Mass should be sung. It is said that he died as a martyr.∼Pope Telesphorus
Also known as
Telesforo
Memorial
2 January (Latin Church); 22 February (Greek Church)
Profile
Greek, probably from Calabria. Pope. Celebrated Easter on Sunday but maintained fellowship with communities that did not. Started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass, and decided that the Gloria should be sung. Some legends say he was a hermit before his election, and that he instituted the tradition of Lent, but these are doubtful. Martyred, possibly due to conversions caused by his preaching.
Papal Ascension
128-129
Died
martyred 138-139; the details have not survived
Representation
pope with a chalice over which three Hosts hover (may refer to the celebration of Christmas with 3 Masses said to represent the temporal, spiritual, and eternal birth of Christ); pope with a chalice with a nearby club (possibly an indication of his martyrdom)
Also known as
Telesforo
Memorial
2 January (Latin Church); 22 February (Greek Church)
Profile
Greek, probably from Calabria. Pope. Celebrated Easter on Sunday but maintained fellowship with communities that did not. Started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass, and decided that the Gloria should be sung. Some legends say he was a hermit before his election, and that he instituted the tradition of Lent, but these are doubtful. Martyred, possibly due to conversions caused by his preaching.
Papal Ascension
128-129
Died
martyred 138-139; the details have not survived
Representation
pope with a chalice over which three Hosts hover (may refer to the celebration of Christmas with 3 Masses said to represent the temporal, spiritual, and eternal birth of Christ); pope with a chalice with a nearby club (possibly an indication of his martyrdom)
Roman Catholic Pope. Greek, probably from Calabria (now Italy). Little is known of his life. The 8th occupant of the Holy See, elected in 126 AD. His papacy ended 137 AD. He was predecessor of Pope Sixtus I and successor of Pope Hyginus. Pope Telesphorus started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass and it was his decision, that the "Gloria" during Mass should be sung. It is said that he died as a martyr.∼Pope Telesphorus
Also known as
Telesforo
Memorial
2 January (Latin Church); 22 February (Greek Church)
Profile
Greek, probably from Calabria. Pope. Celebrated Easter on Sunday but maintained fellowship with communities that did not. Started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass, and decided that the Gloria should be sung. Some legends say he was a hermit before his election, and that he instituted the tradition of Lent, but these are doubtful. Martyred, possibly due to conversions caused by his preaching.
Papal Ascension
128-129
Died
martyred 138-139; the details have not survived
Representation
pope with a chalice over which three Hosts hover (may refer to the celebration of Christmas with 3 Masses said to represent the temporal, spiritual, and eternal birth of Christ); pope with a chalice with a nearby club (possibly an indication of his martyrdom)
Also known as
Telesforo
Memorial
2 January (Latin Church); 22 February (Greek Church)
Profile
Greek, probably from Calabria. Pope. Celebrated Easter on Sunday but maintained fellowship with communities that did not. Started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Mass, and decided that the Gloria should be sung. Some legends say he was a hermit before his election, and that he instituted the tradition of Lent, but these are doubtful. Martyred, possibly due to conversions caused by his preaching.
Papal Ascension
128-129
Died
martyred 138-139; the details have not survived
Representation
pope with a chalice over which three Hosts hover (may refer to the celebration of Christmas with 3 Masses said to represent the temporal, spiritual, and eternal birth of Christ); pope with a chalice with a nearby club (possibly an indication of his martyrdom)
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
