Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe
Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (born January 2, 462 AD in Telepte, Byzacena, North Africa; died January 1, 527 AD in Ruspe, North Africa) was a North African bishop and theologian, the greatest Augustinian theologian of the generation after Saint Augustine. He was twice exiled to Sardinia by the Arian Vandal kings for defending Catholic Trinitarian orthodoxy. He is called the Abridgement of Augustine. His feast day is January 1.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe
| Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 01 |
| Profession | Bishop; theologian; Augustinian scholar; monastic founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Bishop of Ruspe 507/508–527 |
| Patronage | Sardinia; theologians; exiles; the persecuted |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; book of theology; pen; chains or exile imagery |
| Birthplace | Telepte, Byzacena, North Africa (modern Tunisia) |
| Death Place | Ruspe, Byzacena, North Africa (modern Tunisia) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died at his see of Ruspe; he died on January 1, the day before his birthday, at age 65 |
| Primary Shrine | Sardinia — his exile here was formative; venerated in Cagliari; his theological legacy is his primary shrine |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast January 1 |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Fulgentius was born on January 2, 462 AD, in Telepte in the Roman province of Byzacena (modern Tunisia), to a noble North African family. He received an excellent classical and Christian education. He had a career as a civil administrator before turning to the monastic life after reading Augustine's commentary on Psalm 36.
He became a monk and then abbot of a monastery. He was elected Bishop of Ruspe around 507/508 AD. Almost immediately, the Arian Vandal king Thrasamund exiled him to Sardinia (508) because of his vigorous defense of Nicene Trinitarian orthodoxy against Arianism. He spent seven years in Sardinian exile (508–515), during which he maintained correspondence with North Africa, refuted Arian arguments, and wrote many of his theological works.
He was recalled to Carthage in 515 to debate the Arian theologians at the court of Thrasamund — a remarkable compliment to his theological stature. He returned to his see but was exiled again by the next king, Hilderic (518–523). He returned permanently in 523 and governed his diocese until his death on January 1, 527.
His theological works are the most sophisticated Latin theology of the early 6th century, deeply Augustinian in method and content. They address the Trinity, grace, predestination, and the Incarnation. He was called Abridgement of Augustine (Augustini breviarium) because he summarized and defended the great Doctor's positions with admirable clarity. His De fide (On the Faith) and Ad Monimum (To Monimus) remain standard texts of Augustinian theology.
His feast is January 1.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Telepte, Byzacena, North Africa (modern Tunisia)
Death location: Ruspe, Byzacena, North Africa (modern Tunisia)
Notable location: His episcopal see; Bishop of Ruspe from 507/508 until his death; the city was in the Roman province of Byzacena (Ruspe, Byzacena, North Africa (modern Tunisia))
Notable location: He was exiled twice to Sardinia by Vandal kings (508–515 and 518–523); during his Sardinian exile he lived a quasi-monastic life and wrote many of his theological works; his presence in Sardinia prompted the Sardinian bishops to seek his counsel (Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy)
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Feast day
January 1
Veneration
Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on January 1.
Prayers
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