Pope St. Eutychian

December 8

Pope Eutychian, also called Eutychianus, was the Bishop of Rome from 4 January 275 to his death in 283. His original epitaph was discovered in the catacomb of Callixtus, but almost nothing more is known of him. Even the date of his reign is uncertain. Liber Pontificalis gives a reign of 8 years and 11 months, from 275 to 283. Eusebius, on the other hand says his reign was only 10 months. Eutychian is said to have allowed the blessing of grapes and beans on the altar and to have buried 324 martyrs with his own hands. Some historians doubt these traditions, since there was no persecution of Christians after the death of Aurelian in 275 and blessing the produce of the fields is believed to belong to a later period. His feast is kept on 8 December.