Hilary of Poitiers
c. 310 – 367 · Bishop of Poitiers
Also known as Hilarius Pictaviensis
Feast: 13 January (Catholic)
Bishop of Poitiers and 'Athanasius of the West.' Defender of Nicene Trinitarianism in Latin; wrote De Trinitate while exiled in Phrygia.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Hilary carried the Nicene fight into the Latin West.
- Best first read
- On the Trinity
- Primary source
- Hilary, De Trinitate
Hilary carried the Nicene fight into the Latin West. Exiled from Gaul to Asia Minor for opposing Arianising politics, he used exile to learn the Greek arguments at their source and translate them into Latin theological categories. His On the Trinity became the first major Latin treatment of Nicene doctrine before Augustine. He matters because Athanasius was not fighting alone in Greek; the West also had to learn how to say why the Son is truly God.
Notable works
- ·On the Trinity · 360
Primary sources
- ·Hilary, De Trinitate
- ·Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 100
- ·Sulpicius Severus, Chronica 2.39-45
Book of the day
Five Theological Orations
Gregory of NazianzusA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. Dense but decisive sermons on the Trinity from the theologian of Constantinople.
Daily Patristic Wisdom in your inbox
Get one early Church quote each morning, with historical context in plain English. Free. Unsubscribe whenever.