Our Father among the Saints Vetranion, Bishop of Tomis, the Confessor
Life
Saint Vetranion (also rendered Bretannion, Bretanion, or Vetranio) was a fourth-century bishop of Tomis (modern Constanta, Romania), the principal see of the Roman province of Scythia Minor on the western coast of the Black Sea. Of Cappadocian origin, he came to the see about the year 360 and is described as presiding over the cities of the Scythian region.
He is best known as a confessor who openly resisted the Arianizing pressure of the emperor Valens. He is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions, and is commemorated on January 25.
Timeline 4 moments
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c. 360Becomes Bishop of TomisVetranion, of Cappadocian origin, comes to the see of Tomis in Scythia Minor about the year 360.
c. 368Withstands the emperor ValensDuring the emperor Valens' campaign against the Goths, Valens halts at Tomis and urges the populace to accept Arianism and reject the Nicene Creed. Vetranion publicly opposes him and is exiled; public outcry over his banishment forces Valens to permit his return to his congregation.
c. 373-374Sends the relics of Saba the Goth to CappadociaVetranion is credited with translating the relics of the martyr Saba (Sabbas) the Goth to Basil the Great in Caesarea of Cappadocia, accompanied by a Greek letter from the Church in Gothia — described as the oldest known writing composed on what is now Romanian soil.
c. 380ReposeVetranion dies around the year 380.
Contributions & Legacy
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Confrontation with Valens
The defining episode of Vetranion's episcopate, reported by the church historian Sozomen, came during the emperor Valens' campaign against the Goths in the Scythian region. Halting at Tomis, Valens pressed the citizens to embrace Arianism and to reject the Nicene Creed. According to the Orthodox account, the bishop boldly denounced the emperor, applying to himself the words of the psalm, 'I spoke of thy testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed.' Valens exiled him in response, but the outcry of the people of Tomis over their bishop's banishment compelled the emperor to restore him to his see. For this firm resistance he is honored as a confessor — one who suffered for the faith without being put to death.
The letter on the relics of Saba the Goth
Around 373-374, Vetranion is credited with sending the relics of the martyr Saba (Sabbas) the Goth to Saint Basil the Great in Caesarea of Cappadocia. The relics were accompanied by a Greek letter, identified with the 'Epistle of the Church of God in Gothia to the Church of God located in Cappadocia,' which has been called the oldest known writing composed on what is now Romanian soil. Sources connect this transfer to a request from Junius Soranus, a regional official.
Historical uncertainties
Some sources suggest Vetranion may have represented Tomis at the ecumenical council held at Constantinople in 381, but this remains uncertain, in part because his name may have been confused with that of a bishop Gerontius (Terentius) of Tomi. No precise date for his repose is recorded; he is generally placed as dying around 380. The feast day of January 25 appears to have been assigned to him by Cardinal Cesare Baronio in the sixteenth century.
