Saint of the Day for March 13: Saint Leander of Seville

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 13, 2023

Saint Leander of Seville’s Story: the next time you recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, think of today’s saint. For it was Leander of Seville who, as bishop, introduced the practice in the sixth century

He saw it as a way to help reinforce the faith of his people and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ.

Leander’s own family were staunch Christians: his brothers Isidore and Fulgentius were named bishops, and their sister Florentina became an abbess.

Leander entered a monastery as a young man and spent three years in prayer and study. At the end of that tranquil period he was made a bishop.

For the rest of his life he worked strenuously to fight against heresy.

The death of the anti-Christian king in 586 helped Leander’s cause.

He and the new king worked hand in hand to restore orthodoxy and a renewed sense of morality.

Leander succeeded in persuading many Arian bishops to change their loyalties.

Leander died around 600. In Spain, he is honored as a Doctor of the Church.

saints