Died: 283 A.D.
Pronounced yoo-TITCH-ee-un
Give me the scoop on Eutychian.
St. Eutychian was elected pope just a few days after the death of St. Felix I, his predecessor, ascending to the Chair of St. Peter on January 4, 275. Other than that, we know next to nothing about his pontificate, since there was (surprisingly) such an immense period of peace in the Roman Empire during that time.
Statements in the Liber Pontificalis about Eutychian being responsible for instituting the blessing of grapes and beans, as delicious as those are, is historically unreliable. That he buried 324 martyrs, considering how peaceful the time was, is also a bit spurious. He died of natural causes on December 7, 283 and his feast day is celebrated December 8.
What was he known for?
Interestingly enough, Eutychian’s mark is not being known for anything. His reign was unremarkable, at least as far as history is concerned. However, in a time where Christians could still be legally killed, no news was good news.
Fun Fact…
Having been buried in a papal crypt in the cemetery of St. Callixtus, his gravestone was discovered not long ago by archaeologists, bearing the Greek words “Eutychianos Epis(kopos)” (“Bishop Eutychian”).
What else was going on in the world at the time?
Smack in the middle of Eutychian’s papacy (in 280), Greek mathematician Pappus geometrically figured out for the first time how to demonstrate the center of gravity.
Coming tomorrow….Pope St. Caius
SOURCES (and further reading)
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
Pope St. Eutychian – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05638a.htm
Pope Eutychian – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Eutychian
Pappus of Alexandria – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappus_of_Alexandria