Leander
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
ST., a Spanish prelate, flourished towards the close of the 6th century. He died March 13, 601 (according to some, Feb. 27,596). He was a son of Severianus, governor of Carthage, and brother of Fulgentius, bishop of that city, and of St. Isidore of Seville, who succeeded him as bishop of Seville. Leander especially distinguished himself by his zeal against the Arians. Among his converts was Hermenigilde, eldest son of Leuvigilde, king of the Goths. Upon the defeat of the former by the latter Leander was sent into exile, but he was recalled in the same year, and converted Reccarede, second son of the king. After the death of Leuvigilde he assembled at once the third Council of Toledo, and caused Arianism to be solemnly condemned. For his services in making Spain an adherent of the faith of Rome he was specially rewarded by Gregory I. The cathedral of Seville claims to possess his remains, and he is commemorated on the 13th of March. He wrote a number of works, of which there are yet extant De Institutione Virginumn et conteanptu mundi (to be found in the Codex Regularum of St. Benedict of Amiane, published by Holstenius, and in the Bibliotheca Patrums, vol. 12). It is a letter to his sister, St. Florentine: — Homilia in laudler Escclesiae, etc. (Labbe, Concil. vol. 5), a discourse on the conversion of the Goths, pronounced at the third Council of Toledo. Leander is considered as the originator of the Mozarabic rite completed by St. Isidore. St. Gregory the Great dedicated to Leander his dissertations on Job, which he had undertaken by his advice. See St. Isidore, De Viis illustribus, etc.; St. Gregory the Great, Epist. and Dialog.; St. Gregory of Tours, Hist. vol. 5; Baronius, Annales; Dom Mabillon, Annales Ordinis Benedicti, etc.; Baillet, Vies des Saints, 1, Mark 13; Dom Ceillier, Hist. d. Auteurs sacres, 17:115, etc.; Dom Rivet, Hist. Litteraire de la France; Richard et Giraud, Bibliotheque Sacrree; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 30:55; Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lex. 6:388.
