Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration
- Marina, virgin
- Julian the Hospitaler
- Meletius, bishop
- Ethelwald, bishop
- Antony Kauleas, bishop
- Ludan
- Benedict of Aniane
Two days commemorate the holy life and work of St. Benedict of Aniane: one on February 11 and the other on February 12. One reason is based on St. Benedict of Aniane's death at Kornelimünster Abbey on February 11, 821 A.D., in the monastery Louis had built for him to serve as the base for Benedict's supervisory work. Then he was buried the next day on February 12, hence why some list his feast day as the 11th and some the 12th. Learn more at Wikipedia.org
Saints for February 12 in the Roman Catholic Church, Learn more
Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 12]
- Meletius, Archbishop of Great Antioch
- St. Marina, Virgin
St. Meletius and St. Marina are both commemorated in the Catholic Church and in the Byzantine Calendar on this day, February 12.
St. Meletius of Antioch (d. ca. 381 A.D.) was born at Melitene, Lower Armenia. He was appointed bishop of Sebastea in the year 358 A.D. but had to flee to the desert because the appointment caused great dissension. The dissension was due to the Arian controversy. Meletius initially seemed to favor Arian positions, but later became a strong defender of orthodoxy. This ambiguity led him to being accepted by both Arian and Catholic factions, making him a central figure in the ongoing conflicts.
In 361 A.D., he was elected archbishop among dissenting groups as a compromise candidate. Despite this compromise, conflicts continue to ensue. The pro-Arian Emperor was persuaded by the Arian Bishop Eudoxus to exile Meletius to Lower Armenia. When the Emperor passed away, Julian became Emperor and recalled Meletius. However, a faction of the Catholic bishops had elected Paulinus as Archbishop causing the beginning of the Melitian schism. This schism was to rend the Church of Antioch for many years. The Council of Alexandria in 362 A.D. was unable to heal the breach, and an unfortunate rift between St. Athanasius and St. Meletius exacerbated the matter.
Gradually, Meletius influence in the East grew as more and more bishops supported him. St. Basil the Great was untiring in his efforts to help Meletius in resolving the breach. In 374 A.D., the breach has become more complicated when Pope Damasus recognized Paulinus as the Archbishop, appointed him papal legate in the East, and then St. Jerome allowed himself to be ordained priest by Archbishop Paulinus.
In 378 A.D., the death of pro-Arian Valens led to the restoration of the banished bishops by Emperor Gratian, and Meletius was reinstated.
"Saintly" Summary of the conflict, with Saints on Both Sides
- St. Basil the Great: A key figure in opposing Arianism. Basil initially opposed Meletius but later reconciled with him.
- St. Jerome: A prominent theologian. Jerome initially supported Paulinus, a rival bishop of Antioch, but later acknowledged St. Meletius.
- St. Athanasius: A leading opponent of Arianism. Athanasius initially hesitated to accept St. Meletius but eventually did so.
This complex web of alliances and shifting positions reflects the turbulent nature of the Arian controversy at the time and the difficulty of the Saints in navigating those theological and political waters. It involved other Saints in the conflict like Pope St. Damasus I, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Gregory Nazianzen (who preached the eulogy for St. Meletius in 381 A.D.).
So what happens when Saints fight against one another? It is just an opportunity for them to make the light of their haloes shine more brilliantly before God and man! They make the truth of God brighter and clearer!
Fortunately, the Meletian schism was resolved between 415-418 A.D. Learn more at Encyclopedia.com
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