Pope Saint Telesphorus, who led the Church during Emperor Antoninus Pius’ reign around 125 to 138 AD, made significant contributions to Christian practices, many of which persist today. Originally a Greek anchorite, his influence is notably evident in the observance of Lent and the celebration of Christmas Mass.
The “Liber Pontificalis” credits St. Telesphorus with instituting a seven-week fast preceding Easter. Although the practice of a Lenten fast predated his time, as evidenced by St. Irenaeus, the exact duration varied in the early Church. It’s likely that St. Telesphorus played a role in standardizing the length of this important period of fasting and reflection.
Another enduring custom associated with St. Telesphorus is the celebration of Mass at night during Christmas, deviating from the usual practice of holding Mass between the hours of 9 to 12 in the morning. This change marked the beginning of the tradition of Midnight Mass at Christmas, a beloved practice in the Christian world. However, there is scholarly debate over whether this decree can be definitively traced back to St. Telesphorus.
Furthermore, St. Telesphorus is credited with the decree that the “Gloria in Excelsis” hymn be sung exclusively during the Christmas Mass. This hymn of praise, while not included in all Masses even in contemporary times, was restricted until the eleventh century, with only the Pope permitted to recite it more frequently, and priests limited to Easter celebrations.
St. Telesphorus’ papacy ended in martyrdom, a fact corroborated by both the “Liber Pontificalis” and the earlier accounts of St. Irenaeus. He was laid to rest near St. Peter on the Vatican grounds. His memory is honored on January 5 in the Roman liturgy and on February 22 in the Greek tradition.
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st.Telesphour pray for us
Thank you for the stories of the Saints – St Telesphorus pray for us in these difficult times.
Thank you uCatholic community please continue to pray for my family. Another member of the extended family has passed and the immediate family members has not got the faith of comfort, they are solely
traumatised, please pray for their comfort and above all for their conversion.
According to the “Liber Pontificalis” St. Telesphorus ordered a fast for seven weeks before Easter. That the Lenten fast goes back even before the time of Telesphorus, St. Irenaeus gives testimony. But the length of the fast varied considerably in those early days. It is probable enough that Pope St. Telesphorus did make some regulation as to the length of the Lenten fast.
A custom much loved even today is also attributed to St. Telesphorus. He is said to have ordered that although Mass was not celebrated before the hour of tierce (i.e., 9 to 12 o’clock in the morning) at Christmas time Mass should be celebrated at night. This is the first mention of the beloved midnight Mass. However, scholars doubt whether this decree actually does go back to the time of St. Telesphorus.
St. Telesphorus is said also to have decreed that the Gloria in excelsis should be sung at the Christmas Mass and only at the Christmas Mass. This magnificent hymn of praise is not said at all Masses even today. As late as the eleventh century, though the Pope could say it oftener, priests were not allowed to say it except at Easter.
St. Telesphorus died a martyr as is known not only from the “Liber Pontificalis” but also from the earlier testimony of St. Irenaeus. He was buried near St. Peter on the Vatican. His feast is kept on January 5 in the Roman liturgy and February 22 in the Greek.
i think we shall move to 22 feb later CHRISTMAS later EASTER togheter with GREEKS to stressfull at december and M have later
This is one of my top favorite Saints.
Pope Saint Telesphorus, pray for us!
Pope St. Telesphorus, pray for us.
On Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and by Thy blessed servant Telesphorus, Thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, and keep for evermore whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd.
O Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favorably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore, through the blessed Telesphorus, Thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.
Amen.
Saint Telesphorus pray for us amen.