Elected Bishop of Carthage in 454 after a long vacancy of the see, Deogratias distinguished himself by his heroic charity during the Vandal invasion of Rome. He sold sacred vessels to redeem captives and transformed his churches into hospitals to care for them. He died exhausted by his labors after three years of episcopate.
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SAINT DEOGRATIAS, BISHOP OF CARTHAGE (457).
Vandal Invasion and Vacancy of the See
After the fall of Carthage in 439, the Arian Vandals exiled Bishop Quodvultdeus, leaving the episcopal see vacant for fourteen years.
The city of Carthage fell into the hands of the Vandals in the month of October, in the year 439. These barbarians, who followed the Arian heresy, drove the holy Bishop Quodvultdeus from his Church, and he was, along with almost all his clergy, set adrift at sea in a half-broken ship. This Church thus remained without a pastor until, after a desolation of fourteen years, Genseric, at the request of the Emperor Valentinian, permitted an excellent priest named Deogratias to be given t Déégratize Bishop of Carthage in the 5th century, known for his charity towards captives. o it as bishop, who was consecrated on October 25. He was a man of admirable holiness of life, who greatly consoled and strengthened the Church of God in its afflictions, through his discourses and the example of his virtues. The barbarians and the Arians were able to observe once again that true virtue and selfless charity are found only in the Catholic Church. Indeed, two years after his election, God permitted Genseric to tak e th Rome Birthplace of Maximian. e city of Rome, to plunder what remained of the riches of so many kingdoms it had conquered, and to lead the greater part of the Roman people into captivity. This multitude of prisoners having been cast upon the shores of Africa, the Vandals and the Moors divided them among themselves: and, according to the custom of the barbarians, they separated husbands from their wives and fathers from their children without any compassion. Bishop Deogratias, full of charity and led by the spirit of God, used all the gold and silver vessels destined for the ministry of the altars to ransom them; and, by this means, he restored wives to their husbands and children to their parents. But as there were no houses in Carthage capable of lodging such a great number of people, he chose for this purpose two churches that were very large, had them filled with beds and straw mattresses, and took care that these poor people were given each day what was necessary for them to live.
Election and redemption of Roman captives
Consecrated bishop in 454, Deogratias used sacred vessels to redeem Roman prisoners captured by Gaiseric and housed them in the churches of Carthage.
As many of them remained ill from the agitation of the sea to which they were unaccustomed, and from the sufferings of such a cruel servitude, this holy Bishop went to visit them at all times, brought doctors with him, had everything they might need carried to them, and had it given to them in his presence. He was not content to occupy himself during the day with these exercises of charity; he also went during the night to see them all one after the other in their beds to know in what state they were, without his extreme old age and the weakness in which he found himself being able to turn him away from a work of mercy that was so arduous for him. The Arians, whom his virtues offended, tried several times in vain to make him fall into their traps and to take his life in a violent manner. He died after an episcopate of three years and a few months. His death was mourned by the captives of Rome with tears so abundant and so painful that they made it known that they had never been more abandoned to the discretion of the barbarians than when they were deprived of his presence, and that God took him from them for heaven. The people of Carthage, for their part, had so much love and esteem for this holy Pastor that one could not have prevented them from teari ng his body i saint Pasteur Bishop of Carthage in the 5th century, known for his charity towards captives. nto pieces to make relics of it, if, by wise counsel, he had not been secretly buried while public prayers were being said. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on this day with praise: but, in the calendar of the Chu rch of Carthage, d martyrologe romain Official catalogue of the saints of the Catholic Church. rawn up towards the end of the 5th century, his feast is marked on January 5th, as well as that of Saint Eugenius, his successor.
Devotion to the sick and persecutions
Despite his advanced age, the bishop personally cares for the sick captives, while escaping the plots of the Arians who seek to eliminate him.
Modern Algeria co L'Algérie moderne Modern country where the saint's feast is observed on October 29. mmemorates him on October 29.
Death and liturgical memory
Deogratias died after a three-year episcopate; he was buried secretly to prevent his body from being dismembered by the faithful in search of relics.
As many of them remained ill from the agitation of the sea to which they were not accustomed, and from the sufferings of such a cruel servitude, this holy Bishop went to visit them at all times, brought doctors with him, had everything they might need carried to them, and had it given to them in his presence. He was not content to occupy himself during the day with these exercises of charity; he also went during the night to see them all one after the other in their beds to know in what state they were, without his extreme old age and the weakness in which he found himself being able to turn him away from a work of mercy that was so arduous for him. The Arians, whom his virtues offended, tried several times in vain to make him fall into their traps and to snatch his life from him in a violent manner. He died after an episcopate of three years and a few months. His death was mourned by the captives of Rome with tears so abundant and so painful that they made it known that they had never been more abandoned to the discretion of the barbarians than when they were deprived of his presence, and that God took him from them for heaven. The people of Carthage, for their part, had so much love and esteem for this holy Pastor that one could not have prevented them from tearing his body into pieces to make relics of it, if, by wise counsel, he had not been secretly buried at the time when public prayers were being held. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on this day with praise: but, in the calendar of the church of Carthage, drawn up towards the end of the 5th century, his feast is marked on January 5, as well as that of Saint Eugenius, his successor.
Modern Algeria observes his office on October 29.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Consecrated as Bishop of Carthage on October 25, 454
- Ransom of Roman prisoners captured by Gaiseric in 455
- Transformation of two large churches into hospitals and housing for captives
- Constant care for the sick despite his old age
- Escaped several assassination attempts by the Arians