Quodvultdeus
Latin·Male·5th century·North Africa
Quodvultdeus was a fifth-century bishop of Carthage and a Church Father known for his correspondence with Augustine of Hippo. Following the Vandal capture of Carthage, he was exiled to Naples, where he continued his ministry and converted many Goths to Catholicism.
Key Facts
- ›Bishop of Carthage in the fifth century.
- ›Exiled to Naples due to the Vandal invasion of Carthage.
- ›Corresponding with and influenced by Augustine of Hippo.
- ›Converted many Arian Goths to Catholicism.
- ›His sermons are known through Augustinian collections.
- ›Identified as the author of twelve sermons previously attributed to Pseudo-Augustine.
- Liber Promissionum Et Praedicatorum Dei
- Thirteen Sermons, Including Contra Iudaeos, Paganos Et Arrianos, Adversus Quinque Haereses, De Symbolo I-Iii, De Quattuor Virtutibus Caritatis, De Cantico Novo, De Ultima Quarta Feria, De Cataclismo, De Tempore Barbarico I-Ii, De Accedentibus Ad Gratiam I-Ii
- Two Letters To Augustine
Bishop of Carthage, Church Father
5th Century
Carthage, Naples, Italy
Augustinian
Arianism
About Quodvultdeus
Quodvultdeus (died c. 450 AD)
Quodvultdeus was a significant fifth-century Church Father and Bishop of Carthage. His name, Latin for "what God wills," reflects a common naming practice of the era. He is notable for his close relationship with Augustine of Hippo, who acted as his spiritual mentor and dedicated some of his works to Quodvultdeus.
Life and Historical Context
Quodvultdeus was known to be living in Carthage around 407 AD and rose to the rank of deacon in 421 AD. His tenure as bishop was disrupted by the Vandal conquest of Carthage, led by King Gaiseric, who adhered to Arianism. Tradition recounts that Quodvultdeus and other churchmen were forced onto leaky ships and eventually landed in Naples around 439 AD. Upon arriving in Italy, he established himself and dedicated his efforts to converting numerous Arian Goths to the Catholic Christian faith.
Writings
While no surviving writings are definitively attributed to Quodvultdeus by name, his sermons are known to exist through Augustinian collections. In the early 20th century, scholars Germain Morin and Desiderius Franses proposed that twelve sermons previously attributed to "Pseudo-Augustine" were actually authored by Quodvultdeus, a hypothesis that gained plausibility. Among the works now attributed to him are "Liber promissionum et praedicatorum Dei" (Book of promises and predictions of God) and thirteen sermons covering theological topics such as heresies and the creed, as well as two letters addressed to Augustine.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Quodvultdeus mean?
The name Quodvultdeus is Latin and translates to "what God wills." It was a name given to him, reflecting a common practice of the time.
Who was Augustine of Hippo to Quodvultdeus?
Augustine of Hippo served as Quodvultdeus' spiritual teacher. Augustine also dedicated some of his writings to Quodvultdeus, indicating a close intellectual and spiritual relationship.
Why was Quodvultdeus exiled from Carthage?
Quodvultdeus was exiled when Carthage was captured by the Vandals, who were led by King Gaiseric and followed Arianism. This invasion forced many church leaders to flee.
Where did Quodvultdeus go after his exile?
Tradition states that Quodvultdeus and other churchmen were loaded onto leaky ships and landed in Naples around 439 AD. He then established himself in Italy.
What significant religious work did Quodvultdeus accomplish in Italy?
After his exile to Italy, Quodvultdeus went on to convert dozens of Arian Goths to the Catholic Christian faith during his lifetime, playing a role in strengthening Catholicism in the region.
Are there any surviving writings attributed to Quodvultdeus?
None of the surviving writings are definitively transmitted under Quodvultdeus' name. However, his sermons are known through Augustinian collections, and scholars like Germain Morin and Desiderius Franses have identified twelve sermons by Pseudo-Augustine as likely written by Quodvultdeus.
Related Church Fathers
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo was a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher whose influential works shaped Western thought. Regarded as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church, his writings explored profound theological and philosophical concepts such as grace, original sin, and the nature of the Church.
Aurelius of Carthage
Aurelius of Carthage was a Christian saint and bishop of Carthage from approximately 391 until his death around 430. A significant figure in early Christianity, he was a friend and patron to Augustine of Hippo, supporting the establishment of a monastic community that served as an early episcopal seminary. Aurelius led important ecclesiastical councils and was among the first bishops to denounce Pelagianism.
Tichonius
Ticonius was a prominent 4th-century theologian of North African Latin Christianity, known for his Donatist affiliation and his influential conception of the City of God, which impacted St. Augustine of Hippo. He developed a system of seven rules for biblical interpretation and offered a spiritual interpretation of the Apocalypse of John, rejecting literal millennial views.