Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

Chapter VI.—Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.

1. “The blessed apostles ^{Edition note 1} having founded and established the church, entrusted the office of the episcopate to Linus. ^{Edition note 2} Paul speaks of this Linus in his Epistles to Timothy. ^{Edition note 3}

2. Anencletus ^{Edition note 4} succeeded him, and after Anencletus, in the third place from the apostles, Clement ^{Edition note 5} received the episcopate. He had seen and conversed with the blessed apostles, ^{Edition note 6} and their preaching was still sounding in his ears, and their tradition was still before his eyes. Nor was he alone in this, for many who had been taught by the apostles yet survived.

3. In the times of Clement, a serious dissension having arisen among the brethren in Corinth, ^{Edition note 7} the church of Rome sent a most suitable letter to the Corinthians, ^{Edition note 8} reconciling them in peace, renewing their faith, and proclaiming ^{Edition note 9} the doctrine lately received from the apostles.” ^{Edition note 10}

4. A little farther on he says: ^{Edition note 11}

“Evarestus ^{Edition note 12} succeeded Clement, and Alexander, ^{Edition note 13} Evarestus. Then Xystus, ^{Edition note 14} the sixth from the apostles, was appointed. After him Telesphorus, ^{Edition note 15} who suffered martyrdom gloriously; then Hyginus; ^{Edition note 16} then Pius; ^{Edition note 17} and after him Anicetus; ^{Edition note 18} Soter ^{Edition note 19} succeeded Anicetus; and now, in the twelfth place from the apostles, Eleutherus ^{Edition note 20} holds the office of bishop.

5. In the same order and succession ^{Edition note 21} the tradition in the Church and the preaching of the truth has descended from the apostles unto us.”