Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Hilary of Poitiers, Saint (hĭl'ərē, poitērz', poi'tyā), c.315-367?, bishop of Poitiers from c.350, Doctor of the Church. A convert from paganism, he distinguished himself as a supporter of Athanasius against Arianism. For his zeal he was exiled (c.356). After his return (360) he aided Pope Liberius in the attempted purge of Arianism in the West. He wrote many theological works, mostly against the Arians, including the historically invaluable De synodis and the De trinitate (tr. by Stephen McKenna, 1954). He composed allegorical interpretations of the Bible and sacred poetry. His hymns were important in the early development of that form. Feast: Jan. 14; in England, Jan. 13 (Hilarymas). Hilary term, in English courts and schools, begins Jan. 11.

Bibliography

See W. N. Myers, ed. and tr., The Hymns of Saint Hilary of Poitiers (1928); C. F. A. Borchardt, Hilary of Poitiers' Role in the Arian Struggle (1966).