“Hammer of the Arians.”

Hilary was born in Poitiers, France, around 310 to wealthy parents who were Neoplatonism pagans.  He received a good education which included a high level of the Greek language.

He married as a young man and together they had a daughter named Apra.

As he grew much older, he knew that he did not exist for the sole purpose of seeking pleasure, enjoying leisure or obtaining wealth.  He reasoned that the human soul did not exist simply to die.  When his pagan culture did not suffice, he found what he was searching for when he stumbled upon the Scriptures, and at the age of 40, was baptized, and converted to Christianity.

Those who followed the heresy of Arianism, denied the divinity of Christ.  This was especially strong in the Eastern Church and began to spread rapidly including throughout France.

He was a staunch defender of the Trinitarian doctrine of the Council of Nicaea which declared that Jesus was divine, eternal, and consubstantial of the Father.  He referred to the heresy as the “insanity and ignorance of men”.  Only 3 years after his conversion, he so impressed the faithful that he was elected Bishop of Poitiers, even though he objected, while still being a married layman.

The emperor was an Arian himself and ordered every bishop to pledge support for the heresy.  Hilary refused and defended the truth, and was therefore exiled to Phrygia, modern day Turkey, where he spent much time studying and writing.  He caused so much trouble for the Arians in the area that their bishops pleaded with the emperor to send him back home, which was granted.

He took a leisurely route through Greece and Italy, preaching, and weeding out the beginnings of Arianism in the Western Church.  Back at home, he continued to preach, write, attend councils, and compose hymns.  He was a true pastor who burned with a desire that everyone come to a deeper knowledge of the One God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The death of Constantius in 361 ended the persecution of the Catholic Church and Hilary died in 367.

His daughter became a nun and a saint, known for her charity, Saint Augustine referred to him as “the illustrious doctor of the churches” and he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX.

His book, “On the Trinity”, a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew and the Psalms still exists.

His feast day is January 13.

He is the patron saint of children academically behind, children learning to walk, mothers, the sick, snake bites.

For God’s Glory.