St. Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | January 13

Born a pagan, St. Hilary (c. 315 – c. 367) studied philosophy and the meaning of life, eventually making his way through the bible. He became a convert and was appointed bishop of Poitiers in 353. Sometimes referred to as the Hammer of the Arians, St. Hilary defended the Nicene Creed against a popular heresy, Arianism. He was exiled to Phrygia for opposing Roman emperor Constantius II, who preferred the heresy which denies Christ’s divinity. From Phyrgia St. Hilary fought with his pen, zealously writing against the heresy.

Eventually he was allowed to return to Poitiers, but did so by a circuitous route, preaching against Arianism all the way. St. Hilary was likely the first writer of hymns in the West, his writings on the Trinity, Psalms and Gospel of Matthew survive today. St. Hilary was created Doctor of the Church, a title given to those who provided important contributions to theology and doctrine, in 1851 by Pope Pius IX.