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About St. Justus of Lyon

Saint Justus of Lyon was a holy 4th-century hierarch and confessor of the pre-Schism Western Orthodox Church. Consecrated as the Bishop of Lyon around 350 AD, he was highly respected for his deep patristic learning and staunchly defended the true faith against Arianism alongside Saint Ambrose of Milan at the Council of Aquileia. 

His life took a profound ascetical turn when a man who had sought sanctuary in his cathedral was violently killed by a mob despite a magistrate's pledge of safety. Grievously stricken in conscience, Saint Justus secretly relinquished his see and fled with his faithful deacon, Saint Viator, to the Egyptian desert. There, under the direction of St. Macarius the Great, he embraced a life of hidden prayer in the monastic community of Scetis. 

Though he lived completely incognito, his true identity as the Bishop of Lyon was eventually discovered by a visiting pilgrim. Despite pleas from a delegation from Gaul to return to his see, Justus chose to remain in the desert, continuing his life of deep repentance until his blessed repose around 389 AD.

The main feast of Saint Justus is celebrated on October 14th (Julian Calendar), marking the day of his repose. The translation of his relics is celebrated on September 2nd.