POPES
by Deb McCoy | Jan 15, 2020 | Popes, Saints
In our ongoing study of the popes, we come to Soter. The twelfth bishop of Rome, was born in Fondi, Lazio, located between Rome and Naples, according to tradition. He probably was born after the death of the last apostle, John, and probably after many of the people...
by Deb McCoy | Jan 14, 2020 | Popes
The reign of Pope Pius I (140-154) showed that by the mid-second century, Rome was the center of Christian faith and culture. The concept of a group of presbyters running the Church was gone and the pope was the go-to guy, so to speak, for all things Christian. Pius I...
by Deb McCoy | Jan 14, 2020 | Popes
Our eighth pope was Hyginus. As is typical of the Roman Church in the mid second century, Hyginus was more likely one of a number of presbyters as opposed to a stand-alone governor. The dates are unsure, but he was in charge from the time of Telesphorus’ martyrdom in...
by Deb McCoy | Jan 14, 2020 | Popes
St. Telesphorus was a man of Greek origin, born, according to legend, in Terranova de Sibari, in Calabria around 67 AD. Calabria is the “toe” of the “boot” of Italy. His name, translated from the Greek, means “accomplishing the goal”. He is said to have served as...
by Deb McCoy | Aug 16, 2019 | Popes
St. Peter was born in Bethsaida, on the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee, an area now in Syria. At the time, it was run by Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great. On the far side of the Jordan River was Galilee, run by Herod Antipas. Peter was born Simon, his father...
by Deb McCoy | Aug 16, 2019 | Popes
Of the two hundred and sixty-six popes in the Catholic history, three have been mentioned in the Bible: Peter, Linus and Clement. Peter, we all know, was there at the beginning. He was one of the inner three, along with James and John. He appears in all four Gospels...
