Fabian

Saint Fabian, 20th Bishop of Rome, reigned from 236 to 250. His election is reported as miraculous: a dove is said to have rested on his head, thus designating this unexpected layman. During his pontificate, he reorganized the administrative structure of the Roman Church, dividing the city into seven diaconates to better assist the poor and organize the burial of martyrs. He is also credited with sending missionaries to Gaul. He brought the schism of Hippolytus to an end by having the bodies of Pope Pontian and of Hippolytus, who had died deported to Sardinia, brought back to Rome and buried there. Fabian was one of the first victims of Emperor Decius' persecution, dying a martyr on January 20, 250. His body was initially buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus.