St. Paulinus of Aquileia

Patriarch of Aquileia and noted preacher. He was probably born near Friuli, Italy, to a family of farmers and grew up as a farmer, although he was given an excellent education and earned a reputation for erudition and scholarship. In 774, he was summoned to the court of Charlemagne and became a favorite of the Carolingian ruler. In 776 he was sent back to Italy and, against his will, was appointed Patriarch of Aquileia. He represented Charlemagne at various Church Councils, wrote against and denounced the heresy  of Adoptionism, and sent missionaries to attempt the evangelization of the Avars. He also preached in the regions of Styria and Carinthia, was a talented poet, and was the author of a treatise on Christian perfection for the duke of Friuli. He died on January 11.