Saint Optatus of Milevis

Life story

Optatus was bishop of Milevis in Numidia (modern Algeria) in the fourth century. Augustine lists him among Christian writers who came “out of Egypt” carrying the spoils of learning, so he is thought to have been a convert, probably a pagan rhetorician. Very little else is known of his personal life.

His main work is a treatise against the Donatists, written in reply to Parmenian, who succeeded Donatus at Carthage. According to Jerome, it had six books and was written under the emperors Valens and Valentinian (364–375). Seven books survive today; the seventh was apparently added in a later edition. The first books were probably published around 366–370, and the second edition around 385–390, since the list of popes runs to Siricius (384–398). The work carries a dossier of documents on the Donatist controversy, apparently collected by a Catholic controversialist between 330 and 347, and scholars generally regard them as genuine.

In his argument Optatus distinguishes schismatics from heretics: schismatics keep true doctrine and true sacraments, so Parmenian was wrong to threaten them with eternal damnation. He appeals to the chair of Peter in Rome as the source of unity. He called the Donatist bishops his “brethren”. His name was added to the Roman Martyrology on 4 June, although he was never the object of an ancient cult and the ancient martyrologies and calendars do not know him.

Works and witness

• Bishop of Milevis in Numidia in the fourth century
• Wrote a treatise against the Donatists answering Parmenian
• Distinguished schismatics from heretics in his argument
• His work preserves a collection of documents on the Donatist controversy

Saints from the same country

Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Monica, Blessed Christian de Chergé and the Martyrs of Algeria, Saint Alypius of Thagaste

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), “Optatus, Saint” (cathen/11262b), read in full – Milevis, convert and rhetorician, Jerome on six books, seven books, dating 366–70 and 385–90, dossier 330–347, Roman Martyrology 4 June
• Wikipedia (English), “Optatus” – cross-check

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.