Pacian of Barcelona
Saint Pacian was an early Spanish Christian prelate who served as the Bishop of Barcelona from approximately 365 to 391 AD. He is recognized as a Father of the Church, praised by Jerome for his eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness. Pacian is known for his writings on ecclesiastical discipline, baptism, papal primacy, and penance, and for the phrase "Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus vero cognomen" (My name is Christian, my surname is Catholic).
Key Facts
- ›Served as Bishop of Barcelona from C. 365 AD to 391 AD.
- ›Eulogized by Jerome in De viris illustribus for eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness.
- ›Writings include three letters and a treatise, Paraenesis AD Poenitentiam.
- ›His writings addressed ecclesiastical discipline, baptism, papal primacy, and penance.
- ›Remembered for the phrase "Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus vero cognomen".
- ›Was married and had a son, Nummius Aemilianus Dexter.
Paraenesis Ad Poenitentiam, Three Letters
Ecclesiastical Discipline, Baptism, Papal Primacy, Teachings On Penance
Saint, Father of the Church, Bishop of Barcelona
4th Century
Spain, Barcelona
Novatianism
About Pacian of Barcelona
Saint Pacian (c. 310–391 AD) was an influential early Spanish Christian prelate who served as the Bishop of Barcelona from approximately 365 AD to 391 AD. He is recognized as a Father of the Church, a title bestowed upon important early Christian theologians and writers.
Life and Ministry
Pacian succeeded Praetextatus as Bishop of Barcelona. His life and work were later praised by Saint Jerome in his work De viris illustribus (On Illustrious Men), where he commended Pacian's eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness.
Writings and Theology
Only parts of Pacian's writings survive today, primarily consisting of three letters and a short treatise called Paraenesis ad Poenitentiam (Exhortation to Penance). His theological contributions focused on important aspects of church life and doctrine, including ecclesiastical discipline, the sacrament of baptism, the concept of papal primacy, and teachings on penance. He actively wrote against Novatianism, a schismatic movement that was prevalent in Spain during his time.
Pacian is perhaps most famously remembered for a poignant phrase from one of his letters: "Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus vero cognomen," which translates to "My name is Christian, my surname is Catholic." This statement highlights the importance of identifying oneself first and foremost as a Christian, with Catholicism being a defining characteristic of that identity.
Personal Life
Pacian was married and had a son, Nummius Aemilianus Dexter. His son went on to serve under the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, holding important positions such as proconsul and praetorian prefect. It is through his son that Jerome became acquainted with Pacian's reputation, as De Viris Illustribus is dedicated to Nummius Aemilianus Dexter.
Legacy
Recent scholarship has begun to explore linguistic aspects of Pacian's writings. A 2023 study by Jesús Alturo i Perucho and Tània Alaix i Gimbert has identified early indications of Catalan in Pacian's use of certain terms and expressions, suggesting a linguistic evolution in the region during his era.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Pacian?
Saint Pacian was an early Spanish Christian prelate who served as the Bishop of Barcelona from about 365 AD to 391 AD. He is recognized as a Father of the Church.
What is Saint Pacian known for?
He is known for his writings on ecclesiastical discipline, baptism, papal primacy, and penance, and for his opposition to Novatianism. He is also remembered for the phrase "Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus vero cognomen" (My name is Christian, my surname is Catholic).
What were Saint Pacian's notable works?
His writings that are extant only in part include three letters and a short treatise titled Paraenesis ad Poenitentiam.
What was Saint Pacian's connection to Jerome?
Jerome eulogized Pacian in his work De viris illustribus, praising his eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness of life. Jerome did not know Pacian personally but knew his son, Nummius Aemilianus Dexter, to whom De Viris Illustribus is dedicated.
Did Saint Pacian have a family?
Yes, Pacian was married and had a son named Nummius Aemilianus Dexter, who held significant administrative positions under Theodosius I.
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