Episode 1775: St. Paulinus of Aquileia

There were two saints named Paulinus associated with early Christianity in Britain, and it's easy to get them confused.

St. Paulinus of Aquileia, celebrated on January 11th, was a bishop and martyr in the 4th century but not associated with York.

St. Paulinus of York, on the other hand, was a different individual. He was a Roman missionary and the first Archbishop of York. He played a significant role in the Christianization of Northumbria in the 7th century. His feast day is celebrated on October 10th.
So, to clarify, the St. Paulinus associated with York is not the same as St. Paulinus of Aquileia, whose feast day is on January 11th. I appreciate your patience and the opportunity to clarify this distinction.

St. Paulinus of Aquileia, also known as Paulinus II, was a Christian bishop and martyr who lived in the 4th century. He is often confused with another saint named Paulinus of Nola. Here are some details about the life of St. Paulinus of Aquileia:

Early Life and Education:

Paulinus was born in Italy, likely in the city of Bordeaux, around the year 726.
Religious Life:

He entered the religious life and eventually became a monk.
Bishop of Aquileia:

Paulinus was appointed as the Bishop of Aquileia, an ancient city in northeastern Italy, around the year 776.
Controversy and Exile:
St. Paulinus faced controversy during his episcopacy. His strong opposition to the adoption of the Filioque clause (a theological issue regarding the Holy Spirit's procession in the Nicene Creed) led to conflicts with the Frankish court.
Due to political and religious tensions, Paulinus was exiled from Aquileia in 799. He went to the court of Charlemagne in Aachen.
The controversy and exile of St. Paulinus of Aquileia were primarily related to theological disputes and political tensions of his time, particularly the theological debate over the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed. Here are more details on this aspect of his life:

Filioque Controversy:

The Filioque controversy centered around the phrase "and the Son" (Filioque in Latin) in the Nicene Creed. The original Nicene Creed, as established by the First Council of Nicaea in 325, stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. However, in the West, particularly in the Frankish territories, the phrase "and the Son" was added to affirm the double procession of the Holy Spirit from both the Father and the Son.

St. Paulinus strongly opposed the addition of the Filioque clause. His opposition was rooted in the theological traditions of the Eastern Church, which did not include this addition to the Nicene Creed.

Conflict with the Frankish Court:

The Frankish rulers, including Charlemagne, supported the inclusion of the Filioque clause in the Creed. This led to a theological and political rift between the bishop and the Frankish court.

The controversy extended beyond theological differences, as it became intertwined with political power struggles and the desire for unity within the Frankish Empire.

Exile to the Court of Charlemagne:

As tensions escalated, St. Paulinus of Aquileia found himself in a difficult position. In 799, he was exiled from his see and sought refuge at the court of Charlemagne in Aachen.

While in exile, St. Paulinus continued to advocate for his theological position, but the Filioque controversy persisted.

Death in Exile:

St. Paulinus remained in exile until his death in 804. The exact circumstances of his death are not well-documented, but it occurred during a period when the Filioque controversy continued to shape theological and political discussions in the West.
In summary, St. Paulinus of Aquileia's controversy and exile were linked to his opposition to the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed and the subsequent conflict with the Frankish rulers who supported its inclusion. The theological debates of this period had significant implications for the relationship between the Eastern and Western

Martyrdom:
Paulinus remained in exile until his death. He died on January 11, 804.
Veneration:

St. Paulinus of Aquileia is venerated as a martyr and saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on January 11th.
Literary Contributions:

St. Paulinus was also a writer and left behind several theological and liturgical works.