The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Fastidius
British bishop, early fifth century (dates unrecorded) · Bishop of the Britons · Writer · Britannia
The Nicene Age
Who Fastidius was
A British bishop known from one chapter of Gennadius and nothing else. He wrote a book on the Christian life for a man named Fatalis and another on the keeping of widowhood, and Gennadius judged the doctrine sound. The eighth-century Corbie manuscript reads ‘Britto’ rather than ‘Brittonum’ — the variant is recorded here — and the modern attribution to him of the surviving De vita Christiana is disputed and not adopted. He is one of only a handful of named Romano-British Christians and the only one credited with books.
Named once in the sources within the horizon; no other ancient witness names him.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When did Fastidius live?
Fastidius is dated British bishop, early fifth century (dates unrecorded) in the archive, which places Fastidius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Fastidius?
Fastidius is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Gennadius of Marseilles. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Fastidius from?
The archive associates Fastidius with Britannia.
Who were Fastidius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Fastidius to 3 other figures, including Gennadius of Marseilles, Pelagius and Victricius of Rouen. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
On Illustrious Men 56
c. AD 490Fastidius, a bishop of the Britons, wrote a book on the Christian life to a certain Fatalis, and another on keeping widowhood sound in doctrine and worthy of God.Gennadius of Marseilles · On Illustrious Men 56 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
- AD 366 · Damasus and the catacomb epigrams, AD 366
- AD 367 · Athanasius lists the 27 NT books, AD 367
- AD 372 · The martyrdom of Sabbas the Goth, AD 372
- AD 378 · Queen Mavia’s revolt, AD 378
- AD 380 · The Edict of Thessalonica, AD 380
- AD 381 · The Council of Constantinople, AD 381
- AD 381 · The Council of Aquileia, AD 381
- AD 384 · The Altar of Victory petition, AD 384
- AD 390 · Thessalonica and the penance of Theodosius, AD 390
- AD 397 · Carthage confirms the canon, AD 397
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Fastidius.
- 1Britanniaprovince only