St. Hilary of Poitiers
(C. 315 – 367/368 AD)
Historical Note
St. Hilary was the great pro-Nicene bishop of Gaul, and hence has been
called the Athanasius of the West. Born of wealthy pagan parents, the
young Hilary was educated in philosophy and rhetoric before marrying.
Soon afterwards, he began a study of the Old and New Testaments which
ultimately resulted in his conversion to Christianity.
In 350 AD, due to his wide learning and zeal for the Faith the local
inhabitants of Poitiers, both clergy and laity, unanimously elected St.
Hilary their bishop. This was despite the fact that he was married. Upon
becoming Bishop, St. Hilary campaigned against the Arian Metropolitan of
Gaul, Saturninus of Arles, and refused to subscribe to Arian formulas put
forward by the Emperor Constantius, encouraging other bishops to do
likewise. This resulted in his exile to Phrygia in Asia Minor.
While in exile, St. Hilary learned Greek and familiarized himself entirely
with the Arian controversy. He also composed his Commentary on the
Gospel of Matthew, the Encyclical Letter on the Councils and his
masterpiece The Trinity in twelve volumes. Remaining undeterred, he
continued to harass Arianism relentlessly, challenging the Arians to a
debate before the Emperor and seeking to win over the Semi-Arians. He
also professed his intention of challenging the most ardent Arians in their
stronghold of Constantinople. The pro-Arian authorities had St. Hilary sent
back to Poitiers as a “disrupter of the peace of the East.”
St. Hilary returned to Poitiers to the wild cheers and acclamations of laity
and clergy alike. He then secured the excommunication and deposition of
Saturninus and rallied strayed laity and weak bishops back to the faith of
Nicaea. From 362 to 364, he engaged in similar work in Italy in
collaboration with Eusebius of Vercellae. After openly assailing the pro-
Arian Auxentius, bishop of Milan, St. Hilary was expelled from Italy by the
Emperor Valentinian. After the deaths of the pro-Arian Emperors,
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