St. Hilary, Poitiers, France, 367

 

36kb jpg illuminated capital, artist unknown; if you have information about the image, please email me; please do not write to ask about the imageFeastday 13th January                                            

Born 315                                

Died  367/368

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born of wealthy polytheistic, pagan nobility, Hilary's early life was uneventful as he married, had children (including Saint Abra), and studied on his own. Through his studies he came to believe in salvation through good works, then monotheism. As he studied the Bible for the first time, he literally read himself into the faith, and was converted by the end of the New Testament.  Hilary lived the faith so well he was made bishop of Poitiers from 353 to 368. Hilary opposed the emperor's attempt to run Church matters, and was exiled; he used the time to write works explaining the faith. His teaching and writings converted many, and in an attempt to reduce his notoriety he was returned to the small town of Poitiers where his enemies hoped he would fade into obscurity. His writings continued to convert pagans.  Introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church. Fought Arianism with the help of Saint Viventius Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1851. 1

 

1. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainth02.htm

 

“Antichrist will teach that Jesus Christ is not the son of God but the wickedest of all criminals” 1

 

“Antichrist will teach that Christ was an impostor, and not the real Son of God.” 2

 

References

1. St Hilary De Trinitate, 6 as quoted by Desmond A. Birch Trial Tribulation and Triumph: Before, During and After Antichrist, (Queenship Publishing. 1996) p

2. Yves Dupont Antichrist World Trends Magazine (September, 1975)