ILARION

ILARION. Two sainted bishops bear this name: 1) Hilary of Poitiers (ca. 315–367) bore an important witness to anti-Arian Greek theology in the Latin West during the Trinitarian controversies of the 4th c. (see his De Trinitate). His exile in Asia Minor (q.v.) from 357 to 361 allowed him to acquire a thorough familiarity with Greek Christian thought, particularly that of Origen (q.v.). His sensitivity in this regard is the most striking of any of the Latin Fathers until Rufinus of Aquileia two generations later. He wrote both major historical works and commentaries on Scripture. 2) Ilarion of Kiev (?–1051) marks a high point in the religious culture of Kievan Rus’ (q.v.). His sermons, in particular the famous “On Law and Grace,” constitute the first original theological thought in Church Slavic along with his Confession of Faith, and they are genuine monuments in the early history of Slavic literature. He is known particularly for his philosophy of history and eschatological focus.