Auxentius of Milan
Encyclopedia
Auxentius of Milan was an Arian
theologian and bishop of Milan. Because of his Arian faith, Auxentius is considered by the Catholic Church as an intruder and he is not included in the Catholic lists of the bishops of Milan such as that engraved in the Cathedral of Milan.
Auxentius came to be regarded as the great opponent of the Nicene creed
in the West. His theological doctrines were attacked by Hilary of Poitiers
, whose Liber contra Auxentium remains the chief source of information about him.
, and he was ordained as a priest in 343 by Gregory of Cappadocia
, the Arian Bishop of Alexandria. According to his opponent Athanasius of Alexandria
, Auxentius was "even ignorant of the Latin
language, and unskilful in everything except impiety".
The historical period in which Auxentius lived was marked by the fight between the Arians and the supporters of the faith of the Council of Nicaea
. In 355 the Roman Emperor
Constantius II
convened a Synod in Milan, in which the bishop of Milan Dionysius
, along with Eusebius of Vercelli
and Lucifer of Cagliari, opposed to the Arian leanings of the Emperor. This resulted in the exile of the the three bishops, including Dionysius. Shortly later the Arian bishops, with the support of the Emperor, appointed as new bishop of Milan
the Arian Auxentius.
In 359 Auxentius played a relevant role in the Council of Rimini
which supported the Semi-Arian doctrines stated in the Council of Sirmium
of 351 . Auxentius was left undisturbed in his diocese after Constantius' death by the pagan Emperor Julian Apostata (died 363).
Under the following Christian Emperors, Jovian and Valentinian I
, there were many attempts by the supporters of the Nicaean faith to depose Auxentius. In 364 Auxentius was publicly accused in a disputation with Hilary of Poitiers
held in Milan by order of the Emperor Valentinian I
. His submission was only apparent, however, and he remained powerful enough to compel the departure of Hilary from Milan. Also Eusebius of Vercelli and Athanasius of Alexandria
tried to obtain the deposition of Auxentius, but without success.
In 372 Pope Damasus I
summoned a synod which explicitly condemned Auxentius as heretic. Auxentius however remained in Milan until his death in 374, even if the Nicaean priest Philastrius
(later bishop of Brescia
) operated in Milan in supporting the not-Arian population. Auxentius was succeeded by the Nicaean Ambrose
.
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
theologian and bishop of Milan. Because of his Arian faith, Auxentius is considered by the Catholic Church as an intruder and he is not included in the Catholic lists of the bishops of Milan such as that engraved in the Cathedral of Milan.
Auxentius came to be regarded as the great opponent of the Nicene creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
in the West. His theological doctrines were attacked by Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers was Bishop of Poitiers and is a Doctor of the Church. He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" and the "Athanasius of the West." His name comes from the Latin word for happy or cheerful. His optional memorial in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints is 13...
, whose Liber contra Auxentium remains the chief source of information about him.
Life
Auxentius was a native of CappadociaCappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
, and he was ordained as a priest in 343 by Gregory of Cappadocia
Gregory of Cappadocia
Gregory of Cappadocia served as Patriarch of Alexandria appointed between 339 and 346. This appointment is not accepted by the church of Alexandria as it was not according to church laws...
, the Arian Bishop of Alexandria. According to his opponent Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
, Auxentius was "even ignorant of the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
language, and unskilful in everything except impiety".
The historical period in which Auxentius lived was marked by the fight between the Arians and the supporters of the faith of the Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea can refer to:* First Council of Nicaea in AD 325* Second Council of Nicaea in AD 787* The Council of Nicaea * The Council of Nicaea...
. In 355 the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
convened a Synod in Milan, in which the bishop of Milan Dionysius
Dionysius (bishop of Milan)
Dionysius was Archbishop of Milan from 349 to 355. He is honoured as a Saint in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches and his feast day is on May 25.-Life:...
, along with Eusebius of Vercelli
Eusebius of Vercelli
Eusebius of Vercelli was a bishop and saint in Italy. Along with Athanasius, he affirmed the divinity of Jesus against Arianism.-Biography:...
and Lucifer of Cagliari, opposed to the Arian leanings of the Emperor. This resulted in the exile of the the three bishops, including Dionysius. Shortly later the Arian bishops, with the support of the Emperor, appointed as new bishop of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
the Arian Auxentius.
In 359 Auxentius played a relevant role in the Council of Rimini
Council of Rimini
The Council of Rimini was an early Christian church synod held in Ariminum ....
which supported the Semi-Arian doctrines stated in the Council of Sirmium
Council of Sirmium
The Council of Sirmium generally refers to the third of the four episcopal councils held in Sirmium between 357 AD and 359 AD. Specifically one was held in 357, one in 358 and one in 359. The third council marked a temporary compromise between Arianism and the Western bishops of the Christian...
of 351 . Auxentius was left undisturbed in his diocese after Constantius' death by the pagan Emperor Julian Apostata (died 363).
Under the following Christian Emperors, Jovian and Valentinian I
Valentinian I
Valentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
, there were many attempts by the supporters of the Nicaean faith to depose Auxentius. In 364 Auxentius was publicly accused in a disputation with Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers was Bishop of Poitiers and is a Doctor of the Church. He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" and the "Athanasius of the West." His name comes from the Latin word for happy or cheerful. His optional memorial in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints is 13...
held in Milan by order of the Emperor Valentinian I
Valentinian I
Valentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
. His submission was only apparent, however, and he remained powerful enough to compel the departure of Hilary from Milan. Also Eusebius of Vercelli and Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
tried to obtain the deposition of Auxentius, but without success.
In 372 Pope Damasus I
Pope Damasus I
Pope Saint Damasus I was the bishop of Rome from 366 to 384.He was born around 305, probably near the city of Idanha-a-Velha , in what is present-day Portugal, then part of the Western Roman Empire...
summoned a synod which explicitly condemned Auxentius as heretic. Auxentius however remained in Milan until his death in 374, even if the Nicaean priest Philastrius
Philastrius
Saint Philastrius Bishop of Brescia, was one of the bishops present at a synod held in Aquileia in 381. St. Augustine met him at Milan about 383, or perhaps a little later . He composed a catalogue of heresies about 384. He died before 397.Among the writings of St...
(later bishop of Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
) operated in Milan in supporting the not-Arian population. Auxentius was succeeded by the Nicaean Ambrose
Ambrose
Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose , was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church.-Political career:Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family between about...
.