Saint Alipius
Saint Alipius (also spelled Alypius; born c. 360 AD in Thagaste, North Africa [present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria]; died c. 430 AD) was a bishop, theologian, and the closest lifelong friend of Saint Augustine of Hippo. He was baptized alongside Augustine by Saint Ambrose of Milan on Easter vigil in 387 AD, became Bishop of Thagaste (Augustine's hometown) around 394 AD, and served faithfully in that role for the rest of his long life, attending councils, combating heresy, and cooperating closely with Augustine in the theological controversies of the age. His feast day is August 15.
Alypius is one of the few people in Christian history whose inner life is documented at first hand by one of the Church's greatest writers: Augustine describes his friend's conversion, his struggles, and his character with affection and insight in the Confessions, the most celebrated autobiography in world literature. As Augustine's companion from youth, fellow student, fellow convert, fellow bishop, and lifelong correspondent, Alypius forms part of what might be called Augustine's circle of holiness—the community of friends whose shared pursuit of God shaped Augustine's life and thought.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Alipius
| Saint Alipius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 15 |
| Profession | Lawyer (before conversion); Bishop |
| Rel. Affiliation | Diocese of Thagaste (North Africa); North African Church |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; book (the Confessions; theological writings) |
| Birthplace | Thagaste, Numidia, North Africa (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria) |
| Death Place | Thagaste, North Africa |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Early life and friendship with Augustine
Alypius was born in Thagaste in Roman North Africa, the same city as Augustine, and the two became friends in youth. He is a significant character in Augustine's Confessions, where Augustine recalls their friendship in Thagaste and Carthage, their studies in rhetoric, and the shared passions of their youth.
One memorable episode in the Confessions describes Alypius's addiction to gladiatorial spectacles: persuaded to attend against his will, he was drawn irresistibly by the roar of the crowd and found himself as caught up as anyone. This episode served Augustine as an illustration of how the senses can overwhelm the will—and how grace can liberate them.
Alypius followed Augustine to Milan, where both were pursuing careers in rhetoric and law. There both encountered the preaching of Saint Ambrose and the works of the Platonist philosophers, and both were gradually drawn toward Christian conversion.
Conversion and baptism
Alypius and Augustine underwent their final preparation for baptism together at Cassiciacum (a villa near Milan where Augustine's circle withdrew for philosophical and spiritual conversation in the winter of 386–387). They were baptized together by Saint Ambrose at the Easter vigil of April 387 AD—one of the most famous baptisms in Church history, the two friends entering the waters together. Augustine's account of that night in the Confessions is among the most moving passages in early Christian literature.
Return to Africa and episcopal ministry
After their baptism, Alypius and Augustine returned to North Africa. Augustine eventually settled at Hippo and became its bishop; Alypius became Bishop of Thagaste around 394 AD. The two remained in constant communication throughout their long episcopal careers. Alypius attended the great councils of the North African Church, traveled to Rome and other centers on church business, and collaborated with Augustine in the controversies against the Donatists and the Pelagians.
Alypius outlived Augustine (who died in 430) and the precise date of his own death is unknown, though he likely died in the early 430s.
Significant events
- Born in Thagaste, North Africa; lifelong friend of Saint Augustine.
- Struggled with addiction to gladiatorial spectacles; later converted.
- Joined Augustine's philosophical circle at Cassiciacum, winter 386–387.
- Baptized alongside Augustine by Saint Ambrose at Easter vigil, April 387 AD, in Milan.
- Became Bishop of Thagaste c. 394 AD.
- Collaborated with Augustine against Donatists and Pelagians for decades.
- Died c. 430–435 AD.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Thagaste, Numidia, North Africa (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria)
Death location: Thagaste, North Africa
Notable location: His birthplace and episcopal see (Thagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria))
Notable location: City where he and Augustine were baptized by Saint Ambrose (Easter 387 AD) (Milan, Italy)
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Shrines
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Canonization
Saint Alipius is venerated through the ancient process of universal veneration in the Western tradition, confirmed by his inclusion in the Roman Martyrology.
Feast day
August 15
Veneration
Saint Alipius is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on August 15. He is celebrated as a close companion of Saint Augustine of Hippo and as a model of Christian friendship—of the way in which friendship ordered toward God can become a vehicle of mutual sanctification.
Prayers
Authored
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Books
Written about the saint
- Saint Augustine, Confessions — the primary source for the life and character of Alypius.