LINUS, mentioned by Saint Paul in his second Epistle to Timothy, Chap. iv. V.21. Linus and Claudia, and all the Brethren greet thee, was, as some say, the Son of Claudia spoken of in the same Verse. Saint Irenæus, Eusebius, Optatus, Epiphanius, Saint Austin, Saint Jerom, and Theodoret, affirm that Linus succeeded immediately Saint Peter in the See of Rome. He governed twelve Years and some Months. The Book of Apostolical Constitutions says1, that Linus was ordained Bishop of Rome by Saint Paul, long before the Death of Saint Peter. Rufinus asserts2, that Linus and Anacletus having governed the Church of Rome, while the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul were living, but in their Absence, Saint Peter a little before his Death chose at last Clement to succeed him in the See of Rome: And Epiphanius will Epiphan. hæres. 27have it, that Clement out of Modesty refused to exercise this Office, till after the Death of Linus and Cletus. From all which we may easily conclude, that we are but very imperfectly acquainted with the History of Linus. The Destruction of Jerusalem happened during his Pontificate, in the Year of J.C. 70. The Greeks keep his Festival upon the fifth of November, and the Latins upon the twenty third of September. See M. de Tillemont.
Read this article in its place on the printed pages