surnamed REIENSIS (otherwise Regensis, or Regiensis) from the episcopal see over which he presided, was a native of Brittany, the contemporary and friend of Sidonius Apollinaris. Having passed his youth in the seclusion of a cloister, he succeeded Maximus, first as abbot of Lerins, afterwards in A. D. 472, as bishop of Riez, in Provence, and died about A. D. 490, or, according to Tillemont, some years latter. For a considerable period he was regarded as the head of the Semipelagians [CASSIANUS], and, in consequence of the earnestness and success with which he advocated the doctrines of that sect, was stigmatised as a heretic by the Catholic followers of St. Augustin, while his zeal against the Arians excited the enmity of Euric, king of the Visigoths, by whom He was driven into exile about A. D. 481, and did not return until A. D. 484, after the death of his persecutor. Notwithstanding the heavy charges preferred against the orthodoxy of this prelate, it is certain that he enjoyed a wide reputation, and possessed great influence, while alive, and was worshipped as a saint after death, by the citizens of Riez, who erected a basilica to his memory, and long celebrated his festival on the 18th of January.
The works of Faustus have never been collected and edited with care, and hence the accounts given by different authorities vary considerably. The following list, if not absolutely complete, embraces every thing of importance :--
[W.R]