Saint Chromatius was born and raised up in Aquileia. He was ordained a priest of that church in 381and took part in the Synod against Arianism.

Chromatius became bishop of Aquileia after the death of Valerianus in 388. He was one of the most celebrated prelates of his time and was in active correspondence with contemporaries St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, and Tyrannius Rufinus. He baptized Rufinus and became something of a mentor to him.

Chromatius opposed Arianism with much zeal and rooted it out in his diocese. He gave steadfast support to St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, when he was unjustly oppressed, and wrote in his favour to Honorius, the Western emperor, who sent this letter to his brother, Arcadius. This intervention, however, proved to be of no avail.

Situated at one of the busiest crossroads of the Roman Empire, Aquileia was a major centre of trade and commerce. Under Chromatius’ care, guidance and influence, it also became renowned as a centre of learning and orthodoxy. He baptised the monk, theologian and historian, Rufinus in his early manhood.

He kept up an extensive correspondence with both Sts Ambrose and Jerome and also with Rufinus. A scholarly theologian himself, Chromatius encouraged the Bishop of Milan to write exegetical works and also supported St Jerome in his own writings. He helped St Heliodorus of Altino to finance St Jerome’s translation of the Bible.

Chromatius was also active as an exegete. Until modern times only seventeen treatises were known to be authored by him on the Gospel according to St. Matthew (iii, 15–17; v-vi, 24), besides a fine homily on the Eight Beatitudes (counted as an eighteenth treatise).

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Bibiana
2. Saint Eusebius
3. Saint Evasius
4. Saint Pontian
5. Saint Lupus of Verona