doras, surnamed Gregory, and Athenodorus, both bishops, in divine philosophy. A.D. 241. Florentine, bishop of Vienne, was illustrious for his life and learning, and he lived till the reign of Gallienus and Volusianus, and was banished and endured martyrdom. A.D. 242. Fabian ruled the Roman Church. At whose promotion the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended on his head. A.D. 243. Gordian, who was still a boy, marching against Parthia in the east, was slain by the treachery of his Mends, near Circea, on the Euphrates. A.D. 244. Philip was elected emperor; he reigned seven years, and associated Philip, his son, with himself, as partner m the empire. A.D. 245. The emperor Philip is made a Christian, being the first of all the emperors who was so. And he remained a Christian unto the end. A.D. 246. Origen wrote eight volumes, disputing against a certain Celsum, an Epicurean philosopher, who had written books against us. And Hieronymus testifies that he had read five thousand books of this writer. A.D. 247. The year of the nativity of Christ was celebrated by the most Christian emperor Philip. A.D. 248. The third year of Philip's reign, the thousandth year from the foundation of Rome was completed. A.D. 249. Pope Fabian appointed that a new chrism should be made every year, and the old one burnt. A.D. 250. Philip, both the father and the son, were both, although in different places, murdered in à military tumult by the treachery of Decius. A.D. 251. Decius, the originator of the civil war, became emperor, and reigned a year and three months. He, oat of hatred of Philip, whom he had succeeded, disseminated deadly edicts, for the persecution and slaughter of the Christians ; and he was the seventh, since Nero, who had raged against the worshippers of Christ. At this time, also the blessed Fabian suffered at Rome. And at Ephesus the seven Holy Sleepers lay hid on Mount Caelius. Alexander the bishop suffered at Jerusalem, and Laurentius and Hippolytus at Rome. A.D. 252. Gallue, having obtained the kingdom, with his son Volusianus, held it for thirty-one years and five, months. At