Saint Salvian of Marseille
PRIEST OF MARSEILLE AND CONFESSOR (5th century).
Priest of Marseille and Confessor
A priest of Marseille in the 5th century, Salvian was a theologian and historian famous for his work 'De Gubernatione Dei'. After converting his wife Palladia, he dedicated himself to clerical life and became the tutor to the sons of Saint Eucher of Lyon, leaving his mark on history through his defense of Providence in the face of barbarian invasions.
Guided reading
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SAINT SALVIAN,
PRIEST OF MARSEILLE AND CONFESSOR (5th century).
Origins and married life
Salvian was likely born in Cologne or in Belgic Gaul and married Palladia, a pagan whom he converted to the Christian faith.
It is believe d that Salvien Priest of Marseille and ecclesiastical author of the 5th century. Salvian wa s born Cologne Archiepiscopal see and burial place of the saint. in Cologne or in some other place in Belgic Gaul Gaule-Belgique Roman province mentioned as a possible origin. not far from that city. It is not known whether he was born to Christian parents or if he owed the light of faith, with which it pleased God to enlighten his soul, to others; but it is certain that he had already received it and was distinguished by his virtue and piety when he entered into marriage. He was wed to a person of merit, but still a pagan, named Pallad ia. He f Palladie Wife of Salvian, converted by him to Christianity. ound himself in the situation where Saint Paul recommends that the spouse who is faithful should work for the salvation and sanctification of the other, if they are still in a state of infidelity. It was to fulfill this obligation that he urged his wife to embrace the faith of Jesus Christ; which he obtained.
Priesthood and Renown in Marseille
Established in Marseille, he became a priest and acquired a great intellectual reputation, educating the sons of Saint Eucher and receiving the praise of his contemporaries.
Having retired to Marseille, he entered the clergy and his merit led to his elevation to the priesthood. From then on, he acquired such a great reputation that Saint Eucher of Lyon entrusted him with the education of his two sons, both of whom became bishops. The prelates, his contemporaries, consulted him as an excellent master of theology, and Saint Hilary of Arles publicly bestowed upon him praises that posterity has ratified. Everyone knows the high regard Bossuet had for the principal work of Salvian: *De Gubernatione Dei et de justo Dei præsentique judicio* . In this work, the eloquent p l'éloquent prêtre de Marseille Priest of Marseille and ecclesiastical author of the 5th century. riest of Marseille rises to a height of vision that has made him, alon g with Saint A saint Augustin Cited for his definition of fraternal charity. ugustine i n his *City Cité de Dieu An apology for Christianity in the face of the decline of the Roman Empire. of God*, the father of that admirable philosophy of history which immortalized Bossuet.
Theological work in the face of invasions
In his major work, Salvian defends divine Providence in the face of the ravages caused by the barbarian invasions in Europe.
"When in former times the barbarian peoples of the North descended upon the provinces of the Roman Empi re," says F Frayssinous French prelate and writer who cites Salvian. rayssinous, "and caused such ravages there in the midst of the Catholic nations of Gaul, Spain, and Italy, it happened that Christians, weak in their faith, were tempted to ask how it was that the faithful people thus became the prey of error and infidelity. Salvian, the eloquent priest of Marseille, felt it his duty to take up the pen to stop these maneuvers and vindicate Providence in a work that we still possess today."
Posterity and historical sources
The text clarifies his status as a priest, refuting the idea that he was a bishop, and cites the biographical sources of Baillet and Dom Ceillier.
Salvian's works have been reissued several times, but it would be highly desirable for them to be popularized through excerpts or translations. It is wrongly that some ancient annalists, Baronius among oth ers, mad Baronius Cardinal and Church historian who mentions the saint. e him a bishop of Marseille.
Taken from Baillet Baillet French hagiographer, author of the Vies des Saints. and Dom Ceillier Dom Ceillier Benedictine and Church historian, source of the text. .
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Probable birth in Cologne or Belgic Gaul
- Marriage to Palladia
- Conversion of his wife to Christianity
- Retirement to Marseille and entry into the clergy
- Ordination to the priesthood
- Education of the sons of Saint Eucher of Lyon
- Writing of the work De Gubernatione Dei
Quotes
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De Gubernatione Dei et de justo Dei præsentique judicio
Title of his main work