Hilary of Arles

Hilary of Arles, St, was born about 403, educated at the celebrated monastic school of Lerins, and made bishop of his native city in 429. As metropolitan of Arles (Arelate) he presided at several synods, and especially at Orange in 441, the proceedings of which involved him in a serious controversy with the pope, Leo the Great. A deposed bishop, named Chelidonius, having carried an appeal to Rome, a council was summoned by Pope Leo, at which Hilary was present, and in which the condemnation of Chelidonius, as well as that of another bishop, Projectus, was reversed. Hilary, however, refused to submit to the decision, and soon afterwards quitted Rome—a proceeding which drew upon himself a very severe animadversion. He did not question the authority in itself, but he maintained that it was uncanonically exercised. In the end, however, he sought a reconciliation with Pope Leo, and the dispute was brought to an amicable termination. Hilary died at Arles in 449, and was canonised, his day being the 5th May.