Hermas (freedman)

Hermas (Greek: Ερμάς) was a freedman and Christian born in Aquileia, who lived in Ancient Rome.

The hagiographer Alban Butler (1710–1773) wrote in his Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints under May 9, St. Hermas was a Christian of distinction in Rome, whom St. Paul salutes.

Some, indeed, with Tillemont, Ceillier, &c. conclude from the contents, that it was compiled before the persecution of Domitian in 95: but Du Guet, and others think it was only written about the year 142, against the Montanists and their false prophets.

He assigns to every one not only an angel guardian, but also a devil who is his tempter; he recommends prayers, alms-deeds, and other good works on fast days: mentions a state of continency with approbation; says that penance, which is followed by frequent relapses, is generally fruitless.

Bishop Wake published an English translation of this work, together with the epistles of St. Clemens, St. Barnabas, St. Ignatius, and St. Polycarp, in 1693, and republished the same in 1710.

Last page of the Muratorian fragment ; Hermas is mentioned near the middle, Pastorem vero nuperrim ettemporibus nostris in urbe Roma Herma conscripsit sedente cathetra urbis Romae aeclesiae Pio Eps fratrer eius ("'The Shepherd', moreover, did Hermas write very recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother bishop Pius sat in the chair of the Church of Rome.")