St Telesphorus Eighth Pope

St Telesphorus was the eighth Pope from 125 to 138. His family was thought to be of Greek descent and he was born in Terranuova located in the Italian province of Calabria. He may have been an anchorite or hermit monk before ascending to the office. Pope Telesphorus is credited with establishing both the seven week lenten season that precedes Easter and the Christmas midnight Mass. He witnessed the persecution and deaths of many Christians under the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. He is the second Pope whose death as a martyrdom is not disputed. While the exact cause is not documented it was described as a glorious martyrdom that happened under the first year of the reign of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. His Feast day is January 5th.