ST EPIPHANIUS, BISHOP OF PAVIA - 21 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 21st of January

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

ST EPIPHANIUS, BISHOP OF PAVIA

Saint Epiphanius lived in the 5th century, at a time when the Church in Europe weathered a period of great political turmoil. Rome had to endure invasions, and various conquerors made life very difficult for ordinary people. Bishops, like St Epiphanius, provided some sense of safety and relief to the people.

A POLISHED NEGOTIATOR

In 483 the Church at Pavia, Italy chose St Epiphanius as its Bishop. The people recognised him as a man of integrity who patterned his life on the Gospel. Later biographers described St Epiphanius as living a simple and disciplined Christian life. 

THE WELFARE OF HIS FLOCK

St Epiphanius worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of his flock and spearheaded the reconstruction of Pavia, which had been levelled by invaders. He negotiated the release of many prisoners that the invaders had captured. 

He also intervened to modify oppressive laws and taxes. Twice popes sent St Epiphanius to be a peacemaker between groups who had interfered in Church matters. Later, as a polished negotiator, he was often sent on peacekeeping missions.

PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

Once, St Epiphanius averted a conflict between Emperor Anthemius and another group. His appeal to the Emperor was as follows, ‘Venerable Emperor, the Lord has ordained that the government of so great a state be entrusted to one who, adhering to the dogmas of the Catholic faith, recognises God as the author and lover of charity. And through whom the arms of peace break the fury of war… A victory without bloodshed will add glory to the annals of your reign. Remember also that he who is first to offer peace looks to his own best interest.’ 

The Emperor relented and war was averted. Around the year 496 St Epiphanius went to Burgundy to obtain the release of prisoners taken by yet another invading army. Peacemaker to the end, St Epiphanius died of fever upon his return to Pavia.

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"

As Jesus said in his sermon on the mount, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9).”

(From: Spiritual Thought from Fr Chris)

➡️ Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Pavia (3rd century)