Dictionary/Ecclesiastical/Fulgentius (St.)
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Ecclesiastical Dictionary
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Fulgentius (ST.). Bishop of Ruspe, was born in 467 or 468, at Telepte, a town in North Africa, and carefully educated by his widowed mother Mariana. His noble character, as well as his knowledge and administrative talent earned for him, though still young, the high position of procurator of his native city. A change came over him after reading St. Augustine's exposition of the 36th Psalm. He now resolved to renounce his vast possessions, and, in spite of his mother's tears, retired to a monastery to lead an ascetic life. Being driven away from his monastery by the Arians, at whose hands he suffered inhuman treatment, he wandered about foreign countries, but in 500 returned once more to his native city, where he built a new monastery, entered the priesthood, and soon after, in 508, in spite of his reluctance, was consecrated Bishop of Ruspe. This step involved direct opposition to King Thrasamund, who had prohibited any further appointments to the Catholic bishoprics, and in consequence, Fulgentius and sixty other bishops were banished to Sardinia, where he founded a monastery under the rule of St. Augustine. Twelve years later Thrasamund recalled him to Carthage, but exiled him once more in 520, at the instigation of the Arian bishops. The death of Thrasamund and the accession to the throne of Hilderic opened the way for the return of the banished bishops to their sees. Amidst the joyful acclamations of the people, Fulgentius re-entered his episcopal city, and from that time forward lived peacefully, devoting himself with fidelity and zeal to the welfare of his flock. He died in 533. His writings, whose style is clear and concise, consists of treaties, letters, and sermons.
