Evaristus

Evaristus, also known as Aristus, was a prominent figure in early Christianity, traditionally recognized as the fourth Bishop of Rome. His pontificate is generally placed between 99 and 107 AD. Details about his early life are scarce, with most information derived from later Christian traditions and historical accounts.

The Liber Pontificalis, a collection of papal biographies, states that Evaristus was of Greek origin, born in Bethlehem. It also attributes several decrees to him, though the historical accuracy of these specific attributions is debated by scholars. Among these are the division of Rome into parishes and the requirement for priests to be formally appointed to their churches. He is also credited with the establishment of the cardinalate, though this is likely a later development projected back onto earlier popes.

Evaristus is believed to have been martyred during the reign of Emperor Trajan, although the exact circumstances and date of his death are not definitively known. He is venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, with his feast day celebrated on October 26th. His papacy falls within a period where the structure and authority of the Roman See were still solidifying, making definitive historical records challenging to ascertain.