Gregory of Elvira

Saint Gregory of Elvira (Gregorius Baeticus), who died around 392, was bishop of Elvira (Illiberis) in the province of Baetica in Spain. He is attested as bishop from 375. A Luciferian text presents him as a defender of the Nicene creed, after Bishop Hosius of Córdoba had given his assent at Sirmium in 357 to the second Sirmian formula. He was a fierce opponent of Arianism, stood for the Nicene creed at the council of Rimini (359) and refused communion with the Arian bishops Ursacius of Singidunum and Valens of Mursa, remaining among the few bishops who never compromised with them.

Like Lucifer of Cagliari, he took a strict view: he held it unlawful to make advances to bishops and priests who had at any time been associated with Arianism, or to have religious communion with them. The Luciferian party found adherents in Spain, and after Lucifer's death (370 or 371) Gregory became the head of the movement, as Saint Jerome's chronicle shows. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 24 April (new style; 7 May in the old style).