St Hilary of Poitiers

A married convert from paganism who found his way to Christ through reading Scripture, Hilary was chosen bishop of Poitiers in Gaul around 350. When the emperor Constantius pressed the Western bishops to condemn Athanasius and accept Arian formulas, Hilary refused and was exiled to Phrygia in 356. Exile made him: in the Greek East he mastered the theological debate at first hand and wrote On the Trinity, the first great Latin exposition of the Church's faith in the coeternal Son. He proved so effective a disputant that the Arians reportedly begged the emperor to send him home. Back in Gaul he patiently rebuilt Nicene faith among the bishops, showing mercy to those who had signed compromised creeds under pressure. He mentored Martin of Tours and composed some of the earliest Latin hymns. His steadfast clarity earned him the name 'Athanasius of the West.'

St Hilary of Poitiers is also one of the Church Fathers — read their biography, works, and verse-by-verse commentary.