Caprasius of Lérins

Saint Caprasius of Lérins was a hermit on the islands of Lérins off the coast of southern Gaul, the spiritual father of Saint Honoratus, and reposed around 430. He is commemorated on 1 June.

He was born in the fourth century in Gaul, of a rich and distinguished family, but gave up great worldly prospects to live as a hermit at Lérins. He was joined by Honoratus and Honoratus's brother Venantius, two youths who wished to become hermits as well. The three decided to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to visit the lavras of Syria and Egypt, but Venantius died at Methoni in Messenia, and Caprasius and Honoratus cut short their voyage. They returned to Gaul, stayed for a time in the hills near Fréjus and then went back to Lérins, wishing to imitate the Desert Fathers. Many others joined them there, and the hermits were inspired by the monastic rule of Pachomius the Great; Lérins Abbey grew up on the site of this community. Honoratus later became bishop of Arles, and Caprasius succeeded him as abbot.

His relics are preserved in the Abbey of San Caprasio in Aulla in northern Tuscany, a Benedictine house raised as a hostel on the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route to Rome. He should not be confused with the martyr Caprasius of Agen.