Marius Victorinus

Marius Victorinus was the most celebrated teacher of rhetoric in Rome in the mid-fourth century; a statue had been raised to him in the Forum of Trajan. His conversion is recorded by Augustine, who heard the story from the priest Simplicianus and told it in the Confessions. The translation is E. B. Pusey’s (1838). Victorinus, an old man and a pagan, had come through his reading to believe Christianity true, and said so privately to Simplicianus.

“Understand that I am already a Christian.” Whereto he answered, “I will not believe it, nor will I rank you among Christians, unless I see you in the Church of Christ.” The other, in banter, replied, “Do walls then make Christians?”Augustine, Confessions VIII.2 (tr. E. B. Pusey, 1838)

He held back for fear of offending his pagan friends. But, Augustine writes, he at last resolved to declare himself, and went to Simplicianus.

“Go we to the Church; I wish to be made a Christian.” But he, not containing himself for joy, went with him. And having been admitted to the first Sacrament and become a Catechumen, not long after he further gave in his name, that he might be regenerated by baptism, Rome wondering, the Church rejoicing.Augustine, Confessions VIII.2 (tr. E. B. Pusey, 1838)

When the day came, Victorinus made his profession of faith publicly before the congregation. Augustine, who was then himself hesitating on the edge of the same step, records that hearing the story made him long to do likewise. Victorinus became the first Latin commentator on the letters of St Paul. He was born about A.D. 290 and died after 363.