November 10 - Saint Leo the Great
Quick Facts- Italian nobility.
- Strong student, especially in scripture and theology.
- Priest.
- Eloquent writer and homilist.
- Pope from 440 to 461 during the time of the invasion of Attila the Hun.
- When Attila marched on Rome, Leo went out to meet him and pleaded for leave.
- As Leo spoke, Attila saw the vision of a man in priestly robes, carrying a bare sword, and threatening to kill the invader if he did not obey Pope Leo.
- As Leo had a great devotion to Saint Peter, it is generally believed the first pope was the visionary opponent to the Huns.
- When Genseric invaded Rome, Leo's sanctity and eloquence saved the city again.
- Called the Council of Chalcedon to condemn heresies of the day.
- Fought Nestorianism, Monophysitism, Manichaeism, and Pelagianism.
- Built churches.
- Wrote letters and sermons encouraging and teaching his flock, many of which survive today; it is for these writings that Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1574.
