Leontius of Fréjus

Saint Leontius of Fréjus was Bishop of Fréjus in Provence in the first half of the fifth century. Our records show him as bishop from about 419 until about 432, while other sources say that he reposed in 443.

He is thought to have been born at Nîmes, toward the end of the fourth century, and to have been the brother of Castor, Bishop of Apt. He was ordained bishop between 400 and 419. His name is bound up with the founding of Lérins Abbey at the beginning of the fifth century: he ordained Honoratus, its founder, who called him his father and superior. Leontius gave the abbey privileges that safeguarded episcopal dignity while assuring the independence of the community, and relations between Lérins and the bishop were very cordial. He was a great friend of Saint John Cassian, who dedicated to him the first part of his Conferences. A later tradition makes him a martyr, but the older documents give him only the title of confessor. The cathedral of Fréjus bears his name.

He is a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 1 December (New Calendar).