The Presbyters Project

LX.

LEPORIUS adhuc monachus, post presbyter, praesumens de puritate vitae quam arbitrio tantum et conatu proprio, non Dei se adiutorio obtinuisse credebat, Pelagianum dogma coeperat sequi.

Sed a Gallicanis doctoribus admonitus, et in Africa per Augustinum adeo emendatus, scripsit emendationis suae libellum, in quo et satisfacit de errore et gratias agit de emendatione; simul et quod de incarnatione Christi male senserat corrigens catholicam sententiam tulit dicens manentibus in Christo in sua substantia duabus naturis unam credi Filii Dei personam.

(ed. E. Cushing Richardson 1896)

LX.

Leporius, formerly monk and afterwards presbyter, relying on purity, through his own free will and unaided effort, instead of depending on the help of God, began to follow the Pelagian doctrine.

However, having been admonished by Gallic doctors and corrected by Augustine in Africa, he wrote a book containing his retraction, in which he both acknowledges his error and expresses gratitude for his correction. Likewise, correcting his false view of the incarnation of Christ, he presented the Catholic view, acknowledging the single person of the Son of God, and the two natures existing in Christ in his substance.

(trans. by E. Cushing Richardson, changed by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

It seems that Leporius was first admonished by "Gallic doctors" in Gaul and then traveled (ordered by his superiors?) to Africa to meet with Augustine. His identification with the presbyter Leporius mentioned in the sermons of Augustine [215] is uncertain.

Place of event:

Region

Latin North Africa
Gaul

City

Hippo Regius
Marseille

About the source:

Author: Gennadius of Marseille
Title: De viris illustribus, Lives of Illustrious Men, De viris inlustribus, On the lives of famous men On the Lives of Famous Men
Origin: Marseille (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The "Lives of Illustrious Men" by Gennadius of Marseille is the continuation of Jerome`s work bearing the same title. It contains 99 additional additional entries on different famous ecclesiestatics. It was written in the end of 5th century. At one point Gennadius writes that the death of presbyter and monk Theodore (Theodulus) of Coelesyria occured `three years ago, in the reign of Zeno` (died AD 491). Gennadius also knows that pope Gelasius died (AD 496) and Julianus Pomerius is considered alive (d. AD 498). Therefore, Gennadius composed majority of his work most probably in the first half of the 490s.

Edition:

E. Cushing Richardson ed., Hieronymus liber De viris inlustribus; Gennadius liber De viris inlustribus, Leipzig 1896, 57-97.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence

PR215.

Religious grouping (other than Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian) - Pelagian

PR215.

Change of denomination

PR215.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR215.

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

PR215.

Writing activity

PR215.

Education - Theological interest

PR215.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER680, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=680