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St Hilary of Poitiers
Apostolic & Patristic · Saint

St Hilary of Poitiers

Bishop of Poitiers
Church FatherDoctor of the ChurchConfessor
c. 310 – 367
unknown
Ordained
c. 353
Consecrated Bishop
Poitiers
Diocese
France
Country
The Life

St Hilary, born at Poitiers in Gaul to a pagan family, converted to Christianity and was elected Bishop of Poitiers around 353. He became the leading Western opponent of Arianism, earning the title 'the Athanasius of the West.'

For his resistance to the pro-Arian emperor Constantius II he was exiled to Phrygia (356-360), where he composed 'De Trinitate', the first major Latin treatise on the Trinity. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pius IX in 1851.

Notable Actions
  • Wrote 'De Trinitate', the first substantial Latin defense of the Trinity against Arianism
  • Wrote 'De Synodis' to explain the Eastern councils to the Western bishops
  • Exiled to Phrygia (356-360) by Constantius II for opposing Arianism
  • Introduced Eastern theology and hymn-writing to the Latin West
  • Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1851
Portrait: Richard de Montbaston et collaborateurs. / Wikimedia Commons
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