Hierarch Trophimus of Arles

St. Trophimus of Arles is venerated as the first bishop of Arles (Arelate) in Roman Gaul, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the West. The exact period of his life remains disputed. An early medieval Gallic tradition holds he was a disciple of the apostles who came to Gaul from Rome around the year 46, sent by St. Paul — for which reason he was long identified with the Trophimus who accompanied Paul, mentioned in Acts and 2 Timothy. A second tradition, recorded by Gregory of Tours and now generally regarded as more reliable, holds that Trophimus was one of seven bishops sent from Rome by Pope Fabian to evangelize Gaul around 250, during the persecution of Decius, becoming the first bishop of Arles. Under his ministry a Christian community was firmly established in the city. The city's cathedral, built in the twelfth through fifteenth centuries, still bears his name.