Jose Mario O. Mandia
ST EVARISTUS (96/99 – 108)
The Liber Pontificalis notes that Evaristus was, “by nationality a Greek of Antioch, son of a Jew named Judah, from the city of Bethlehem.” Memmo Caporilli, in his chart of The Roman Pontiffs says that Evaristus was the founder of the first seven diaconates in Rome which were entrusted to senior priests. These were given the task of keeping a watch over the doctrinal correctness of the bishop’s preaching! This group of seven priests is believed to be the origin of the present College of Cardinals. How careful were the pastors of the early Church to make sure that they were teaching the doctrine of Christ and not their own!
Evaristus decreed that “in accordance with Apostolic tradition marriage should be celebrated publicly and with the blessing of the priest” (Sullivan, Reverend John F. (1918). The Externals of the Catholic Church. Aeterna Press.) The Liber Pontificalis reports that Evaristus was “crowned with martyrdom” and “was also buried near the body of the blessed Peter in the Vatican, October 27.”
ST ALEXANDER I (108 /109-116/119)
The Liber Pontificalis says that Alexander was Roman by nationality. Caporilli says that it was Pope Alexander I who instituted the use of holy water in churches and houses.
As for the Eucharist, Caporilli also says that the same Pope prescribed that hosts to be consecrated should be made from unleavened bread. The Liber Pontificalis adds that Alexander I “introduced the passion of the Lord into the words of the priest at the celebration of Mass.” This is the phrase that begins, “Qui pridie quam pateretur…” (“On the day before he was to suffer”) in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1). This is, however, disputed by some authors. It is believed that he initiated the blessing of the water of sprinkling and of salt in the dwellings of the people, though this is also disputed. It is said that during the time of emperor Hadrian, Alexander I was able to convert through a miracle the Roman governor Hermes together with 1,500 people in his entire household (cf Borrelli, Antonio. “San Quirino su santiebeati.it”. Santiebeati.it.) He was beheaded together with Eventius, the priest, and Theodulus, the deacon along the Via Nomentana, some seven miles from Rome.
ST SIXTUS (XYSTUS) I (117/119-126/128)
Pope Sixtus continued to make fine adjustments in the liturgy to safeguard the sacredness of altar vessels and other objects. He decreed that the corporal over which the host was consecrated should be made of linen (Caporilli, The Roman Pontiffs) and that “consecrated vessels should not be touched except by the ministering clergy” (Liber Pontificalis). Even in the early Church, care was taken to make sure that the sacred things were treated with great reverence and respect.
He ordained that at the end of the preface the priest and the people should chant the hymn, “Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, dominus deus Sabbaoth…” (“Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts”) This prayer, like the “Sursum corda” (“Lift up your hearts”) and the opening words of the preface “Vere dignum” (“It is truly right”) are included in every liturgy that has come down to us. They were perhaps in use even as early as the time of Pope Sixtus. (Cf Duchesne, op. cit., p. 128, no 5).
Pope Sixtus was also martyred and was buried next to the remains of St Peter on the Vatican Hill. Some authors say his relics were later transferred elsewhere.
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