Saint of the day - July 30

Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church was born at Imola, Italy in 380. Cornelius, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Imola, baptized him, educated him and ordained him a deacon. He was called "Chrysologus" for his exceptional oratorical eloquence.

As per traditional account recorded in the Roman Breviary, Pope Sixtus III had a vision of Pope Peter the Apostle and Apollinaris of Ravenna, who showed Peter, a young man as the next Bishop of Ravenna. Peter Chrysologus was consecrated as Bishop of Ravenna in 433.

Peter was popularly known as the Doctor of Homilies, for the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as the Bishop of Ravenna. People loved him for his very simple and short, but inspiring sermons. After hearing oratory of his first homily as bishop, Roman Empress Galla Placidia supposedly gave him the surname Chrysologus, meaning "golden-worded."

In his homilies, Bishop Peter explained Biblical texts briefly and concisely. He also condemned Arianism and Monophysitism as heresies and explained the Apostles' Creed, the mystery of the Incarnation, and other topics in simple and clear language.

Saint Peter advocated daily reception of Eucharist and urged his listeners to confide in the forgiveness offered through Christ. His surviving works attest to the Catholic Church's traditional beliefs about Mary's perpetual virginity, the penitential value of Lent, Christ's Eucharistic presence and the primacy of Saint Peter, the apostle and the first Pope, and his successors.

Peter Chrysologus practiced many corporal and spiritual works of mercy and ruled his flock with utmost diligence and care. "Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil," he remarked, "cannot rejoice with Christ." He also counselled the heretic Eutyches (who had asked for his support) to avoid causing division but to learn from the other heretics who were crushed when they hurled themselves against the Rock of Peter.

Peter died at Imola, Italy in 450 and in 1729 was declared as Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII, largely as a result of his simple, practical and clear sermons which dealt with Gospel subjects.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Olaf of Sweden
2. Saint Rufinus of Assissi
3. Saint Ursus of Auxerre
4. Saint Julitta
5. Saint Hatebrand

Click here to read related articles