Saint Just of Lyon

Justus of Lyon (Latin: Iustus, lit. '"one who helps"') was the 13th Bishop of Lyon. He succeeded Verissimus in the mid-4th century. He is venerated as a saint by both the Catholic and the Orthodox Church, with a feast day on 2 September. Around 350, Justus was made Bishop of Lyon. As bishop of the capital of Gaul, he was among the participants of the Council of Valence of 374 regarding religious discipline of the clergy and the faithful. He later became a hermit. He was born in the first half of the 4th century in Tournon-sur-Rhône and came from an aristocratic family. He followed the religious teaching of Saint Paschasius, the Archbishop of Vienne at the time, and became a deacon of the Church of Vienne. A contemporary biographer describes him as being a meek and merciful man. Around 350, Justus was made Bishop of Lyon. As bishop of the capital of Gaul, he was among the participants of the Council of Valencia of 374 regarding religious discipline of the clergy and the faithful. He assisted at the Council of Aquileia, 381, organized by Ambrose of Milan. A general council had been requested by Arian bishops Palladius and Secundianus supported by the Empress Justina to review the Church's position on Arianism. Ambrose refused to hold a general council, agreeing only to a provincial council, but the Emperor Gratian allowed other bishops to attend. The bishops of Gaul sent delegates including Justus, who was one of 32 bishops at the council, which rejected Arianism and condemned Palladius and Secundianus. At that time, he maintained a correspondence with Ambrose of Milan of which there remain only two letters from Ambrose discussing sections of Scripture. The two letters suggest that Justus was a man respected for his learning. Some time after the Council of Aquileia, an incident took place where an insane individual in a violent fit, had attacked and killed several people in the streets of the city with a sword.