Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Eulogius of Alexandria (Died c 607) Archbishop, Confessor

Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Eulogius of Alexandria (Died c 607) Archbishop of Alexandria from 580 until his death, Confessor, Abbot, Defender of the True Faith against the heresy of Monophysitism (the denial of the two natures of Jesus), great friend and correspondent of St Gregory the Great. Born in Syrian and died in c607 of natural causes. Also known as – Eulogio.

Eulogius was a successful combatant of the heretical errors then current in Egypt, notably the various phases of Monophysitism. He was a warm friend of St Gregory the Great, corresponded with him,and received from that Pope, many flattering expressions of esteem and admiration. Among other merits the Pope makes special mention of his defence of the primacy of the Roman See.

Eulogius refuted the Novatians, some communities of which ancient sect still existed in his Diocese and vindicated the hypostatic union of the two natures in Christ, against both Nestorius and Eutyches.

The Venerable Cardinal Cesare Baronius (1538-1607), the Historian, says that Gregory wished Eulogius to survive him, recognising in him, the voice of truth.

It has been rightly said, that he restored, for a brief period to the Church of Alexandria, that life and youthful vigour characteristic of those Churches only, which remain closely united to Rome.

Besides the above works and a commentary against the various sects of the Monophysite, he left eleven discourses in defence of Leo I and the Council of Chalcedon, also a work against the Agnoetae, submitted by him before publication to St Gregory I, who, after some observations, authorised it unchanged. With exception of one sermon and a few fragments, all the writings of Eulogius have perished.