I
- St. PETER Born in Bethsaida, Galilee. Received from
Jesus Christ the supreme pontifical power to be transmitted to his successors.
Instituted the first ecclesiastical code and the recitation of the "Our
Father". Having been arrested, he insisted on being crucified head downwards.
Died 29 June 67. (more
detail)
2
- St. LINUS Born in Volterra. Elected in 67, he died on
the 23rd September 76. He is buried near St. Peter: He created the first
fifteen bishops. He forbade women to enter a church with uncovered heads.
During his pontificate the evangelists Luke and Mark were martyred.
(more
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3
- St. CLETUS Roman. Elected in 76, he died in 88, a martyr.
He drew Up the rules for the consecration of bishops. In the area of the
Vatican, near the tomb of St. Peter, he had an oratory built for the burial
of martyrs. He was also responsible for rules governing ecclesiastical
dress. (more
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4
- St. CLEMENT Roman. Elected in 88, he died in 97, a martyr.
Banished to Pontus by the Emperor Trajan, he was thrown into the sea with
an anchor round his neck. He restored the sacrament of confirmation according
to the rite of St. Peter, To his time is attributed the use of "amen" in
religious Ceremonies. (more
detail)
5
- St. EVARISTUS Greek. Elected in 97, he died in 105. Given
the increase in the number of christians, he divided the city into parishes.
He founded the first seven diaconates entrusted to senior priests, and
this is considered to be the origin of the present College of Cardinals.
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6
- St. ALEXANDER I Roman. A disciple of Plutarch, he was elected
in 105 and died in 115. To him are attributed the restitution of the use
of holy Water in Churches and houses and the prescription that hosts to
be consecrated be made from unleavened bread. (more
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7
- St. SIXTUS I Roman. Elected in 115, he died in 125. He
is buried in the acropolis of Alatfi (Frosinone). He ordered that the corporal
be of linen and that sacred vessels be handled only by consecrated ministers.
He decreed that the Trysaghion be sung before mass. (more
detail)
8
- St. TELESPHORUS Greek. Elected in 125, he died in 136, a martyr.
He composed the "Gloria in Excelsis Deo' and instituted the seven week
fast before Easter. He decreed that each priest should celebrate three
masses on Christmas night. He inserted new prayers into the mass.
(more
detail)
9
- St. HYGINUS Athenian. Elected in 136, he died in 140,
a martyr. He determined the different prerogarives of the clergy and defined
the grades of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. H