Faustus of Riez

• Sometimes called “the Breton,” from having been born in Brittany, or in Britain, but more generally known as Faustus of Riez from the name of his see.
• Born towards the close of the 4th century, Faustus studied Greek philosophy, but in a Christian spirit; mastered the principles of rhetoric, and may have pleaded for a time at the bar.
• Probably ca. 424 or little later, he entered the famous monastery of Lerins, then presided over by St. Maximus. Here he became a thorough ascetic and a great student of Holy Scripture, without, however, giving up his philosophic pursuits.
• He became a presbyter, and ca. 432 or 433 succeeded Maximus as abbot of Lerins. Faustus next succeeded St. Maximus in the episcopate of Riez in Provence.
• Faustus was of unimpeachably good character; of an earnest, active, ascetic life; orthodox on the central doctrine of Christian faith and suffering exile for it as a confessor; but stigmatized as a Semi-Pelagian, and consequently by many authorities, both ancient and modern, denied the title of saint.
• His De Gratia Dei et Humanae Metis libero Arbitrio was condemned as heretical by John Maxentius through the agency of Filgentius of Ruspe and Caesarius of Arles, Semi-Pelagian teachings were condemned at the second of the Councils of Orange (529). -

1. Professio Fidei: He opens with a severe attack on the teaching of Pelagius as heretical, but expresses a fear of the opposite extreme. 2. Epistola ad Lucidum Presbyterum: Here, too, he anathematizes the error of Pelagius; but also any who shall have declared that Christ did not die for all men, or willeth not that all should be saved. 3. De Gratia Dei et Humanae Metis libero Arbitrio: After again censuring Pelagius, the writer argues strongly on behalf of the need of human endeavour and co-operation with the Divine aid. 4. Ad Monachos Sermo: He refers to excommunication as a terrible weapon only to be used in the last resort. It is sad to see monks go back to the world, especially if, after doing so, they retain their monastic dress 5. De Ratione Fidei Catholicae: A brief statement of the case against Arianism. 6. Homilia de S. Maximi Laudibus: A eulogy of his predecessor. 7. Epistolae: Two have already been described. The other 17 epistles touch upon problems of metaphysics and theology . 15 8. De Spiritu Sancto: On the divinity of the Holy Spirit, composed after 470.