St. Justus of Lyon

St. Justus of Lyon (died c. 390) was bishop of Lyon in Gaul in the latter part of the fourth century. Esteemed for his learning and holiness, he took part in the Council of Aquileia in 381, which dealt with the lingering Arian controversy, and governed his see with pastoral care and zeal for the faith.

According to his ancient life, he was so burdened in conscience after an incident in which a man he had handed over to the civil authorities for protection was nonetheless killed by a mob, that he resolved to withdraw from the world entirely. Secretly leaving his see, he traveled with a young companion to Egypt and lived humbly among the desert monks of the Thebaid as an anonymous hermit, refusing to return even when his identity was discovered, choosing hidden penance and solitude over honor. He died in the desert, and his relics were later brought back to Lyon, where he was venerated as a saint, a model of humility and detachment.