St. Telesphorus
126-136 AD
📖 Life Timeline
126 AD
Became Pope
136 AD
End of reign
✝ Biography
Pope Telesphorus (Greek: Τελεσφόρος; died c. 137) was the bishop of Rome from c. 126 to his death c. 137, during the reigns of Roman Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius.
Telesphorus is traditionally considered the eighth Bishop of Rome in succession after Peter.
Greek from Corinth. Introduced the Christmas celebration and the Gloria in Excelsis Deo at Mass. Allowed priests to fast on Fridays. Martyred under Hadrian.
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