When Gordian had succeeded to the government of the Romans after Maximin, Pontianus, after he had been bishop of the church of Rome for six years, was succeeded by Anteros; and Anteros, after he had ministered for a month, was succeeded by Fabian.
They say that Fabian, after the death of Anteros, came from the country together with others and was staying at Rome, where in a most miraculous manner, by the divine and heavenly grace, he came to the office.
For when all the brethren had assembled in the church for the appointment of him who should succeed to the episcopate, and very many illustrious and notable men were in the thoughts of the many, Fabian, though present, came into no one's mind. Yet, they relate, all of a sudden a dove flew down from above and settled upon his head, showing an imitation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Saviour in the form of a dove;
whereupon all the people, as if moved by one divine Spirit, with all eagerness and with one soul cried out together 「Worthy!」 and without delay took him and set him upon the throne of the episcopate. At that very time also, when Zebinus, bishop of Antioch, had departed this life, Babylas succeeded to the rule; and in Alexandria, when Heraclas had received the ministry after Demetrius, Dionysius succeeded to the charge of the catechesis of those there, he also being one who had been a pupil of Origen.