12. It is believed that Pope Fabian was chosen for his sacred duty as head of the Catholic Church, when which creature descended upon his head?
From Quiz Anything Goes Number Ten
Answer:
A dove
Pope Fabian was born into a noble Roman family (birth date unknown) by the name of Flavius. His reign as Pope ended upon his death in the year 250. During his reign, which was mostly peaceful, he ended a schism between a top bishop and theologian that was threatening to divide the church, he established up to date record of church martyrs, and he sent out assorted missionaries to do the work of the church. Following the death of Pope Anterus, Fabian was visiting Rome for the new papal elections that were under way. He was not considered a possible candidate in any way, but while the names of the other candidates were being debated, the congregation witnessed a dove suddenly descending and landing upon Fabian's head. This similarity to the dove that descended upon the head of Jesus during his baptism was obviously too important to ignore, and Fabian was immediately chosen as the next head of the church.
Alas though, towards the end of Fabian's life, the Roman rulers were growing tired of the troublesome Christians and their new faith, and ordered that everybody must offer offer up tokens of worship to the various Roman deities. Fabian refused to do so, and was tossed unceremoniously into prison, where he rather suspiciously died. His Feast Day is marked on the 20th of January each year - the date of his death. The significance of the dove's descent upon Fabian was wonderfully spiritual, but let's hope that's all it did on the future Pope's head.