According to theLiber Pontificalis, he was aGreek by birth, fathered by aGreek Jew named Judah from the city ofBethlehem.[4]Eusebius, in hisEcclesiastical History, states that Evaristus took office in the 3rd year ofTrajan's reign,[5] which correspond to AD 99/100,[6] and died in the 12th year of the same reign (AD 108/109) after holding the office for nine years.[7] He divided titles among the priests in the city ofRome, and ordained seven deacons to assist with the bishop's preaching.[4]
According to Reverend John F. Sullivan, Evaristus decreed that “in accordance with Apostolic tradition marriage should be celebrated publicly and with the blessing of the priest”.[8]Liber Pontificalis further describes him as the one "crowned with martyrdom".[4] The same is indicated also by French historianAlexis-François Artaud de Montor.[9] However, in theRoman Martyrology he is listed without themartyr title, with a feast day on 26 October.[10]
^Ecclesiastical HistoryVIII, 34 (Eusebius first states Evaristus hold the office for 9 years). The truth is, as the monarchical episcopate was not yet existing in Rome, it is useless to attempt to fix his dates, or those of any of the other so-called bishops who lived before the second quarter of the second century.
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