Saint Leontius of Fréjus
| Saint Leontius of Fréjus | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nîmes |
| Died | ~488 AD |
| Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | December 1 |
Saint Leontius (French: Léonce de Fréjus) (d. 488) was a bishop of Fréjus, in Provence. He was born probably at Nîmes, towards the end of the fourth century; he died in his episcopal town in 488, according to some authorities, though others say 443 or even 448. His feast day is December 1.
The date of his Episcopal ordination is uncertain, but most likely it took place between the years 400 and 419. It is however, indisputable that he was a man of eminent sanctity, and his episcopate was marked with important results, else he would not have been from an early date associated with the Blessed Virgin as patron of the cathedral church of Fréjus.
There is reason to believe that he was a brother of St. Castor, Bishop of Apt, and that consequently like him he was a native of Nîmes. At times he has been mistaken for other persons of the same name, especially for Leontius, Bishop of Arles, who lived at the end of the fifth century. But besides the difference in time, the important events associated with the name of the latter Leontius render the identification impossible.
The principal occurrence during the episcopate of Leontius of Fréjus was the establishment of the monastery of Lérins at the beginning of the fifth century. The name of this bishop is inseparably united to that of Honoratus, the founder of the monastery, and he seems to have played an important part in the development of the monastic life in the south-east of Gaul. Honoratus called him his superior and his father, whilst John Cassian who governed the numerous religious of the Abbey of St. Victor at Marseilles, dedicated most of his "Conferences" to him.
The relations of the monastery of Lérins to the diocesan bishop were most cordial. Some writers believe that this was due merely to the common custom of the age, but others hold, and not without reason it would seem, that it was the result of special privileges granted by Leontius to Honoratus, with whom he was intimately united in the bonds of friendship. Be that as it may, these regulations, which, while safeguarding the episcopal dignity, assured the independence of the monastery, and were confirmed by the Third Council of Arles, seem to have been the beginning of those immunities which hence-forward were enjoyed in an increasing degree by the religious communities.
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