St. Peter Chrysologus: Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor, ca. 406-450 A.D.

"The golden-worded"

Like St. John Chrysostom, who earned the surname "Chrysostom", which means "golden tongue", St. Peter Chrysologus also earned his surname "Chrysologus", which means "the golden-worded" or "golden-speaker", because of his great eloquence and preaching abilities.

Born at Imola and chosen bishop of Ravenna

St. Peter was born at Imola, Emilia, in Italy and studied Sacred Theology under Bishop Cornelius of Imola - who also ordained him as deacon. St. Peter's election as bishop of Ravenna was a surprise and founded on legend. The story goes like this. The people of Ravenna have already elected their bishop. However, Pope St. Sixtus III refused the one elected by the people and instead chose St. Peter Chrysologus. This was because of a vision the Pope had of St. Appolinarius (first bishop of Ravenna), who told him to choose Peter Chrysologus. That was the legend.

In his position then as bishop of Ravenna, St. Peter set out to reform his diocese and free it from paganism. His first sermon impressed the Empress Galla Placidia so much that she gave her all out support for Peter's ambitious building projects.

St. Peter Chrysologus' sermons

The homilies of St. Peter were short; he did not want to tire his listeners. But his sermons were greatly known as being powerful that he was named Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 A.D. Peter's sermons were collected by Bishop Felix of Ravenna in the eighth century. There are about one hundred seventy-six of these existing today. They cover biblical texts, the Apostles' Creed, sermons on the Blessed Virgin and other themes. Though these written sermons cannot indicate the intensity and fervor by which he preached and delivered them, there are of him preaching with such vehemence that he became speechless at certain times because of great excitement.

Feast day is July 30

In ca. 450 A.D., Peter received a revelation of his approaching death and decided to return to his home town in Imola. He died at Imola on July 31 and his feast is celebrated as an optional memorial in the Church's liturgical calendar every July 30.

His Lenten sermon and teaching

Probably one of his best sermons is the Lenten sermon he composed about prayer, fasting, and mercy. This Lenten sermon of St. Peter Chrysologus is also found in the non-biblical section of readings at the back pages of the breviary. What St. Peter says in this Lenten sermon is simple, but when applied to one's Christian life, is powerfully effective. He says in this sermon:

"There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting, and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, fasting and mercy: these three are one, and they give life to each other."

Related resources:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• "Doctors of the Church" by Fink
• "Saints for Our Time" by Ransom