Born in Treves (Trier), Germany, (or Lorraine, France), c. 350; died at
Arles, France, 429.
Saint Honoratus was born into a Gallo-Roman family of consular rank. He
was well-versed in the liberal arts. He converted from paganism to
Christianity in his youth and won his older brother, Venantius, to
Christ. The two brothers desired to forsake the world entirely; but
their father put continual temptations in their way. Finally, they
secured the services of
Saint Caprasius (f.d. June 1),
a holy hermit,
who acted as their instructor in the ways of holiness.
The three sailed from Marseilles to Greece, intending to live there in
some unknown desert and learn more about monasticism. Venantius died at
Modon; Honoratus was also ill. He and his mentor were forced to return
home via Rome. He intended to live the life of a hermit, but God had
other plans for him. At first he lived as one near Frejus. Two small
islands were just off the coast near Cannes: a larger one called Lero
(now St. Margaret's); the other, smaller and further out called Lerins
(now Saint-Honorat).
Around 410 (400?), he established himself on this smaller desert island,
where he was joined by
SS. Lupus of Troyes (f.d. July 29),
Eucherius of Lyons (f.d. November 16),
and Hilary of Arles (f.d. May 5),
as well as
others. This was the beginning of the celebrated monastery of Lerins,
whose history lasted for nearly 1,400 years. Some of the monks lived in
community; others were anchorites. The Rule was that of
Saint Pachomius (f.d. May 9).
About 426-427, he was forced to become archbishop of the important see
of Arles. However, the labours in the field he did not want lasted less
than three years. Honoratus died exhausted by his austerities and
apostolic labours in 429.
His relative Hilary, who succeeded him as bishop of Arles, wrote a
panegyric of Saint Honoratus that speaks of the trouble taken by the
saint to ensure that no one in this island community should be
dispirited, overworked, or idle; and 'it is astonishing how much work he
got through himself, of poor health as he was.' Many visitors found
their way to the island (including Saint John Cassian), and no one left
it 'without a perfectly carefree mind.' Honoratus is one of those
blessedly joyful saints
(
Attwater,
Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia,
Hoare,
Walsh).
Lerin Islands (Iles des Lerins) - Directly off the shore of Cannes are the
Iles de Lerins. These islands mirror the city's history and there is a
classic coastal fortress designed by Vauban on the Ile Sainte-Marguerite
with its Maritime Museum and where the mysterious "Man in the Iron Mask" and
Marshal Bazaine were imprisoned. The Ile Saint-Honorat has a Mediterranean
coastal forest of native pine, eucalyptus and cypress trees and a fortified
abbey based in the monastery founded by Saint Honoratus at the end of the
4th Century, which graduated St. Patrick, St. Hilaire, and St. Cezaire,
among others.
Saint Honoratus is generally portrayed as driving serpents from the
island of Lerins, whose monastery he founded. He is shown at times (1)
as a bishop over the island of Lerins with a phoenix below, or (2)
drawing water from a rock with his mitre near him
(
Roeder).
Icon of St. Honoratus (Honorine):
In the Icons Folder of [celt-saints]
http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/icons/Icons-Honoratus.htm
