Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe
North African bishop of Ruspe who defended Catholic faith under Arian Vandal kings
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop
- Life
- 468 – 533
- Era
- 6th century
- Feast
- 1 January
- Countries
- Tunisia
Life story
Fulgentius was born in the 460s (the Catholic Encyclopedia gives 468; other sources 462, 465 or 467) at Telepte in the Vandal kingdom of North Africa, into a senatorial family. He held a post as tax official for the province of Byzacena. After reading a sermon by Augustine on Psalm 36, he became a monk.
He gave up plans to join the Egyptian hermits and entered a monastery in Byzacena under Bishop Faustus. Around 508, when African Catholics elected new bishops despite the Arian king's ban, he was chosen bishop of Ruspe, in modern Tunisia.
Under King Thrasamund, who was an Arian, he was banished to Sardinia with about sixty other non-Arian bishops. Around 515 he was summoned to Carthage to answer the king's questions, and was then exiled to Sardinia a second time, where he stayed until 523. During this period he wrote extensively, including three books to King Thrasamund, an answer to ten objections, a letter to Peter on the faith and a treatise against Fabianus; eight of his sermons survive.
In 523, when Hilderic became king, he returned to Ruspe. He died there on 1 January 533. His feast is 1 January, the day of his death.
Works and witness
- Moved from tax official to monk after reading Augustine
- Bishop of Ruspe from about 508
- Exiled to Sardinia under Thrasamund
- Wrote works defending Catholic doctrine, including three books to King Thrasamund
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), "St. Fulgentius" (newadvent.org/cathen/06316a.htm)
- Britannica, "Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe"
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.