Bishop
He was born in Belgian Gaul into an aristocratic family in the second half of the 4th century. His father opposed his son's desire for a pious life, but he did not abandon his aspiration and inspired his elder brother Venantius.
The ascetics arranged for hospitality in their home and took care of travelers. Later, Honoratus and Venantius decided to become hermits, found a mentor, the blessed Caprasius, and set out to the East to learn about monastic tradition. On the way, Venantius passed away, and Honoratus returned to Southern Gaul, settling in a cave in the Esterel mountain range.
Around the year 400, he moved to one of the Lérins Islands, where he gathered a small community of disciples, which grew and flourished, transforming the deserted island into one of the largest monastic centers in the West.
In 427, he was elected bishop of Arles. Honoratus proved himself to be a true archpastor. In 429, sensing the approach of death, he proposed Ilarus, a student of the Lérins monastery, as his successor.
He was buried in the Arles necropolis 'Elysian Fields' in the basilica of the martyr Genesius. In 1391, his relics were transferred to the Lérins monastery. During the revolution, the government confiscated the silver reliquary, and the relics were distributed among various churches of the diocese for greater preservation.
At the end of the 20th century, a part of the relics was returned to the Lérins monastery. The memory of Saint Honoratus is celebrated on January 16/29.
