Feastday: August 31
Death: 358
Bishop of Trier and an enemy of the Arian heresy. Originally from Gascony, he was educated in the cathedral school and became a follower of St. Maximinus whom he accompanied to Trier. He succeeded Maximinus as bishop of Trier in 349. A friend and supporter of St. Athanasius, he first met the saint when the bishop of Alexandria was exiled by the Arians to Trier. Paulinus passionately defended Athanasius at the Synod of Arles in 353. Two years later, because of his unflinching opposition to Arianism, Paulinus himself was exiled by Emperor Constantius II to Phrygia, where he died.
For other uses, see Saint Paulinus.
Saint Paulinus of Trier (died 358) was bishop of Trier and a supporter of Athanasius in the conflict with Arianism. At the Synod of Arles (353) he was targeted by the Arians, and was exiled to Phrygia, being effectively singled out by the Emperor Constantius II. He died in exile five years later, but his remains were returned to Trier in 395. His tomb is in the crypt of the city's St. Paulinus' Church, which was rededicated to him.
Paulinus was from Gascony and educated in the cathedral school at Poitiers. He travelled to Germany with Maximin of Trier, whom he succeeded as bishop. He is a Catholic and Orthodox saint (feast day August 31).
