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Saint Epiphanius of Pavia

bas-relief of Saint Epiphanius; date unknown, artist unknown; detail of a tympanum at the main, north-west door of the Basilica of Saint Godehard, Hildesheim, Germany; photographed on 3 October 2011 by Hildesia; swiped from Wikimedia Commons Also known as

Epiphanius the Peacemaker
Glory of Italy
Light of Bishops

Memorial

21 January

Profile

Brother of Saint Honorata and Saint Liberata. Bishop of Pavia, Italy in 467 at age 28. Powerful and influential preacher with a reputation for sanctity, charity to the poor, and working miracles. At one time or another, he intervened for his parishioners with Emperor Anthemus, the Visigoth leader Euric, the Ostrogoth commander Theodoric, and the Burgundian Gonderbald. Ambassador to the court of Euric at Toulouse, France. Rebuilt Pavia after its destruction by invaders under Odoacer. Obtained the release of 6,000 of his parishioners captured by Gondebald; Ephiphanius died on his way home from the negotiations. One of the most influential Italian leaders during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. His successor to the bishopric, Saint Ennodius, wrote a poetic panegyric about him.