Hilary 			January 13
Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith
Hilary of Poitiers wrote extensively on Scripture and doctrinal issues. He was born in Poitiers of pagan parents in the early fourth century and was given an excellent education in Greek and Latin. He tells of his acceptance of Christianity and eventual baptism at the age of about thirty.
Around 350, by popular choice Hilary was elected bishop of his home town. The church was seriously divided at the time by theological controversy over whether Christ’s divinity was full and unqualified, or qualified to some extent. Those favouring the latter interpretation (the Arians) had the backing of the emperor, and their local supporters in Gaul forced Hilary into exile under imperial condemnation from 356 to 360. Hilary made good use of his exile in Phrygia to become familiar with the theology of the eastern part of the church. As a result, he was able to help easterners and westerners understand each other.
Hilary had already been writing extensively on Scripture, using mainly the typological interpretation favoured by Origen (i.e., that the Old Testament contains “types” of the New Testament gospel). He now turned his attention to the defence of the full divinity of Christ, in the tradition of Athanasius, basing his arguments on Scripture. His major work is his De Trinitate (On the Trinity).
Hilary wrote from exile to the emperor, pleading for a fair trial and an opportunity of defending his theological position. The emperor ignored him, but, on the emperor’s death, Hilary returned to Poitiers to a hero’s welcome. He succeeded in rallying like-minded bishops in Gaul to the cause of the defence of the theology espoused at Nicea in 325. He died about 367, before seeing the triumph at Constantinople in 381 of the “orthodoxy” he had defended.
Hilary made a significant contribution to biblical exegesis in the west, was important as an intermediary between eastern and western theology, and was greatly respected as a pastor of his people.
For Liturgical Use
Hilary was born in Poitiers in the early fourth century and was elected bishop of the city by popular acclaim in 350. He became caught up in the controversies of the day over Jesus’ relationship to God, himself defending the full divinity of Christ. He suffered exile for his stand between 356 and 360. His role as intermediary between eastern and western theologies, and his work, On the Trinity, gave him a significant place among early theologians. He died about 367.
Sentence
The Lord gives wisdom; and from the mouth of the Lord come knowledge and understanding.	
				Proverbs 2:6 (adapted)
Collects
Almighty God,
your servant Hilary stood firm in the faith
and suffered exile for his integrity;
grant that we may never waver from our faith,
but abide steadfast in your Son,
in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit;
for you are one God, now and for ever.
Jesus,
harried by your claim to identify with God,
glorified by Hilary who insisted on it,
you are our Redeemer.
Psalms	119:153-160	43
Readings
Isaiah 28:23-29		Taught by God3 John 1-8		Living truth
John 8:31-36		The truth sets free
Post Communion Sentence
We proclaim Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God.	
				1 Corinthians 1:23,24