January 13

Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Optional memorial · Remembered by Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans

Bishop exiled for defending the faith that Jesus is truly God

Hilary was born in Poitiers, in Roman Gaul, early in the fourth century, into a pagan family, and received a good education. As an adult, already married, he found his way to faith by reading the Bible, especially God's name “I am who I am” and the opening of John's Gospel. He was baptised, and around 350 the Christians of Poitiers chose him as their bishop.

At the time, many church leaders, backed by Emperor Constantius II, followed the teaching of Arius that the Son was not fully God. Hilary refused to go along. In 356 he was sent into exile in Phrygia, in today's Turkey. Instead of giving up, he learned from Greek-speaking theologians and wrote his major work, On the Trinity.

Allowed home around 360, he worked to reconcile divided bishops, encouraged the young Martin of Tours, and wrote some of the earliest Latin hymns. He died in 367 and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1851.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:1–3 · BSB

A prayer

Faithful God, you led Hilary to you through your Word and gave him courage to confess your Son as true God, even in exile. Open our minds to your truth, give us steady hearts when faith costs us something, and teach us to seek unity without giving up what is true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.