Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/January 11

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saint Paulinus II (between 730 and 740 - 802) was an Italian ecclesiastic, scholar and poet who served as the Patriarch of Aquileia.

Paulinus was born at Premariacco, near Cividale in the Friuli region of north-eastern Italy, probably of a Roman family during Lombard rule. After ordination to the priesthood, he became master of the town's school. Paulinus' education won him the favour of Charlemagne who invited Paulinus to France in 776, to be "royal master of grammar".

In 787, Charles appointed Paulinus to be consecrated as the Patriarch of Aquileia. As patriarch, Paulinus took a more prominent part in the important matters of his day. In his relations with the churches of Istria, or with the Patriarch of Grado, the representative of Byzantine interests, he showed the greatest prudence and pastoral zeal. Paulinus obtained diplomas for the free election of the future patriarchs, and other privileges for the Church of Aquileia, viz. the monastery of St. Mary in Organo, the church of St. Lawrence of Buia, the hospitals of St. John at Cividale and St. Mary at Verona. He helped in preparing the new Christian legislation, and we find some canons of his synods.

He was present at several councils, which condemned the heresy of Adoptionism taught by Eliphand and Felix, Bishop of Urgel. Paulinus expounded the Catholic doctrine about the Blessed Trinity, especially about the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son. At this synod fourteen "canons" on ecclesiastical discipline, and on the sacrament of marriage, were framed and a copy of the Acts was sent to the emperor.

In 798, Paulinus was one of Charlemagne's "Missus Dominicus" at Pistoia. Afterwards he traveled to Rome as imperial legate to the Pope Leo III.

The activity of Paulinus as metropolitan is clear from the "Sponsio Episcoporum ad S. Aquileiensem Sedem . Among his works are: Libellus Sacrosyllabus contra Elipandum; Liber Exhortationis; Libri III contra Felicem.

Paulinus was also a poet, and we still possess some of his poetical productions: "Carmen de regula fidei ; the rhythmus or elegy for the death of his friend, Duke Eric of Friuli; another rhythm on the destruction of Aquileia; eight rhythms or hymns to be sung in his own church for Christmas, the Purification, Lent, Easter, St. Mark, Sts. Peter and Paul, the dedication, and "Versus de Lazaro". He died in 802, revered as a saint.
Attributes:
Patronage:
Prayer: