Whether that is true or not, Telesphorus was one of the church's earliest popes, serving from about 128-129 A.D. until his martyrdom approximately 10 years later.
Little is known about this saint. It is thought that he was Greek. Legends say that he was a hermit before he became pope during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.
But despite a scarcity of information on his background, he is credited (rightly or wrongly) with initiating a number of today's Catholic traditions.
For instance, he is said to have begun the celebration of Easter on a Sunday, and the tradition of midnight Mass at Christmas. It is also said that he started Quinquagesima Sunday (Shrove Sunday) to encourage Christians to prepare for Lent, and he determined the length of the Lenten season.
What is documented is that Telesphorus died a martyr, possibly because he was a powerful preacher who led many people to convert to Christianity.
The Greek Church celebrates his feast today.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw