St Hyginus Ninth Pope

St Hyginus was the ninth Pope from 138 to 140. There had been a short gap after the death of his predecessor St Telesphorus. Hyginius was the second consecutive Pope who was Greek by birth. He is given credit for establishing the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the bishops, priests and deacons. He is also given credit for establishing the order of ecclesiastical precedence which was the order promotions were given. The practice of including godparents at the baptism of the newly born to assist them during their Christian life was also started by Hyginus. A fourth accomplishment was that Hyginus decreed all churches be consecrated which made them sacred. His Feast day is January 11.