Saint Vincent was born in Toul in Gaul; he was the brother of Saint Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, who was a companion of Saint Germanus of Auxerre. Saint Vincent was first a soldier, then left the world to become a monk of the renowned monastery of Lerins, where he was also ordained priest.
He is known for his Commonitorium, which he wrote as an aid to distinguish the true teachings of the Church from the confusions of heretics; his most memorable saying is that Christians must follow that Faith which has been believed “everywhere, always, and by all.”
He wrote the Commonitorium about the year 434, three years after the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus, which he mentions in the Commonitorium, and defends calling the holy Virgin Theotokos, “She who gave birth to God,” in opposition to the teachings of Nestorius which were condemned at the Third Council.
Saint Vincent condemns the errors regarding the doctrine of Grace and predestination that were spreading at his time. He taught it was heretical to teach “a certain great and special and altogether personal grace of God, which is given to a certain predestined elect, without any labour, without any effort, without any industry, even though they neither ask, nor seek, nor knock” (Commonitorium, ch. XXVI).
See also Saint John Cassian, February 29; Saint John Cassian wrote his refutations before, and Saint Vincent after, the condemnation of Nestorius at the Third Council in 431, and the death of Augustine in 430. Saint Vincent reposed in peace about the year 445.
APOLYTIKION
With wisdom hast thou made plain to all the Orthodox Faith as that which alone hath been believed and honored by all men, always and everywhere, also showing heresy to be innovation, groundless and unstable as a gust in a tempest. O Vincent, thine invincible prayers shelter the Church of God.