Saint Adelphius
Saint Adelphius of Metz (also known as Adelphe or Aelphius; died c. 360–365 AD) was an early Bishop of Metz in the province of Gallia Belgica (present-day Lorraine, France), who attended the Council of Sardica in 343–344 AD, one of the important early Church councils convened to address the aftermath of the Arian Controversy. He is venerated as a confessor and holy bishop, and his presence at Sardica is one of the few historically documented facts of his life.
Metz (Roman Divodurum Mediomatricorum) was one of the major episcopal sees of Roman Gaul. Saint Adelphius appears in the lists of bishops who attended the Council of Sardica and signed its canons in support of Nicene orthodoxy — placing him squarely in the tradition of bishops who defended the full divinity of Christ against Arianism. His feast day is traditionally observed on August 29.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Adelphius
| Saint Adelphius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 29 |
| Profession | Bishop of Metz |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Western Christianity; Catholic Church |
| Patronage | Diocese of Metz |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; crozier |
| Birthplace | Gaul (precise location unknown) |
| Death Place | Metz, Lorraine, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; confessor bishop |
| Primary Shrine | Metz Cathedral, Metz, France |
| Liturgical Class | Not included |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
The birth date and birthplace of Saint Adelphius cannot be confirmed from available historical sources.
Early Life
No details of the early life of Saint Adelphius are preserved in available historical sources.
Occupation
Saint Adelphius served as Bishop of Metz, one of the important episcopal sees of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. His attendance at the Council of Sardica in 343–344 AD is the historically documented event of his episcopate. The Council of Sardica (modern Sofia, Bulgaria) was convened by Emperors Constans and Constantius II to resolve ongoing disputes about the Arian heresy and the deposition of Saint Athanasius. The Western bishops at Sardica, including Adelphius, upheld Nicene orthodoxy and the reinstatement of Athanasius.
Vocation
Saint Adelphius's vocation was that of an orthodox bishop who stood for Nicene faith in the period of the Arian Controversy.
Death
Saint Adelphius died around 360–365 AD in Metz, having served as bishop during the turbulent middle decades of the fourth century.
Significant events
- Served as Bishop of Metz in the mid-4th century.
- Attended the Council of Sardica (343–344 AD); signed canons upholding Nicene orthodoxy.
- Died c. 360–365 AD; feast day August 29.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Metz, Lorraine, France
Notable location: His episcopal see (Metz, Moselle, Grand Est, France)
Notable location: Site of the Council of Sardica (343–344 AD) which he attended (Sardica (Sofia), Bulgaria)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Adelphius have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
No shrines formally dedicated to Saint Adelphius have been identified in available sources.
Canonization
Servant of God
Recognized by ancient local tradition in the Diocese of Metz.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Recognized through ancient local tradition.
Miracles
No specific miracles attributed to Saint Adelphius have been formally documented.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
No specific miracles are recorded.
Patronage
Saint Adelphius is venerated as a patron of the Diocese of Metz.
Feast day
August 29
Veneration
Saint Adelphius is venerated locally in the Diocese of Metz as one of the early bishops of the fourth century who upheld Nicene orthodoxy.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
- Duchesne, Louis. Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule, vol. III. Paris: Fontemoing, 1915. (Entries for Metz.)
Written by the saint
- No writings by Saint Adelphius have been identified.
External links
References
- Duchesne, Louis. Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule. Paris: Fontemoing, 1894–1915.
- Council of Sardica (343–344 AD) acts and episcopal lists.