Pope Saint Telesphorus
![[Pope Saint Telesphorus]](saintt21.jpg "27kb jpg portrait of Pope Telesphorus, artist unknown; if you have information on this image, please email me; please do not write to ask about the image")
- Also known as
- Telesforo
- Memorial
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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
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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)
- Additional Information
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All the Popes (tripod site with popups)
Catholic Encyclopedia
Christ's Faithful People
Ecole Glossary
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