Faustus or Faustus Reiensis
surnamed REIENSIS (otherwise Regensis, or Regiensis) from the episcopal see over which he presided, was a native of Brittany, the contemporary and friend of Sidonius Apollinaris. Having passed his youth in the seclusion of a cloister, he succeeded Maximus, first as abbot of Lerins, afterwards in A. D. 472, as bishop of Riez, in Provence, and died about A. D. 490, or, according to Tillemont, some years latter. For a considerable period he was regarded as the head of the Semipelagians [CASSIANUS], and, in consequence of the earnestness and success with which he advocated the doctrines of that sect, was stigmatised as a heretic by the Catholic followers of St. Augustin, while his zeal against the Arians excited the enmity of Euric, king of the Visigoths, by whom He was driven into exile about A. D. 481, and did not return until A. D. 484, after the death of his persecutor. Notwithstanding the heavy charges preferred against the orthodoxy of this prelate, it is certain that he enjoyed a wide reputation, and possessed great influence, while alive, and was worshipped as a saint after death, by the citizens of Riez, who erected a basilica to his memory, and long celebrated his festival on the 18th of January.The works of Faustus have never been collected and edited with care, and hence the accounts given by different authorities vary considerably. The following list, if not absolutely complete, embraces every thing of importance :--
Works
and
The following two treatises, composed about A. D. 475, present a full and distinct developemenient of the sentiments of the author with regard to original sin, predestinati on, free will, election, and grace, and demonstrate that his views corresponded closely with those entertained by Cassianus.
1.
Further Information
Bibl. Max. Patr. Lugdun. 1677, vol. viii. p. 523.
2.
Further Information
Bibl. Max. Patr. Lugdun. vol. viii. p. 525.
3.
an essay, as the title implies, on some points connected with the Arian controversy.
Editions
It is included in the collection of ancient French ecclesiastical writers published by P. Pithou, 4to. 1586.
4.
Together with an Admionitio and exhortations, all addressed to the monks of Lerins, while he presided over their community.
Further Information
Martene et Durand, Scriptor. et Monumentor. ampliss. Collectio, vol. ix. p. 142. fol. Paris, 1733; Brockie, Codex Regularum, &c. Append. p. 469, fol. Aug. Vind. 1759; Bibl. Max. Patr. Lugdun. 1677. vol. viii. p. 545, 547; Basnage, Thesaurus Monumentor. &c. vol. i. p. 350. fol. Amst. 1725.
5.
He erroneously included among the homilies ascribed to Eusebius Emesenus, who flourished under Constantius before the establishment of a monastery at Lerins.
Further Information
Bibl. Magna Patr. Colon. Agripp. fol. 1618, vol. v. p. 1. No. 12.
6.
These letters are addressed to different persons, and treat of various points connected with speculative theology, and the heresies prevalent at that epoch.
Editions
Nineteen are to be found in the third part of the fifth volume of the Bibl. Mag. Patr. Colon. Agripp. fol. 1618, and the most interesting are contained in Bibl. Max. Patr. Lugdun. vol. viii. p. 524, 548-554. See also Basnage, Thes. Mon. vol. i. p. 343.
Further Information
Sidon. Apollin. Carm. Euchar. ad Faustum ; Gennad. de Viris Ill. 85; Baronius, Annal. vol. vi. ad ann. 490; Tillemont, vol. xvi. p. 433; Wiggers, de Joanne Cassiano, &c. Rostoch. 1824, 1825, and other historians of semipelagianism enumerated at the end of the article CASSIANUS.[W.R]