Fabian Chosen by a Dove

Gordian succeeded Maximinus as ruler of the Romans. In the church of Rome, Pontian, who had been bishop for six years, was succeeded by Anteros, and Anteros, after serving in the ministry for a month, by Fabian. [a] They say that after the death of Anteros, Fabian had come in from the country with others and was staying in Rome, and that there, in a most extraordinary way, he came to the office by divine, heavenly grace. For all the brothers had gathered to elect the man who was to succeed to the office of bishop, and a great many prominent and respected men were in the minds of most of them. Fabian was there, but he did not enter anyone’s thoughts. Yet all at once, they recall, a dove flew down from above and settled on his head, a likeness of the Holy Spirit coming down on the Savior in the form of a dove. [d] At this the whole people, as though moved by one divine Spirit, cried out with all eagerness and with one soul that he was worthy, and without delay they took him and set him on the bishop’s throne. [e]

At that time also Zebennus, bishop of Antioch, departed this life, and Babylas succeeded to the leadership. And at Alexandria, after Heraclas had taken over the ministry from Demetrius, Dionysius succeeded him at the head of the school of instruction there. He too had been one of Origen’s pupils. [f]