Leander of Seville

What is known of Leander here comes from his friend Gregory the Great. Gregory says in the Dialogues that Leander, with whom he had become closely acquainted, converted the Visigothic prince Hermenegild from Arianism, was persecuted by King Leovigild, and was then asked by the dying king to guide his heir Reccared I into the Catholic church (Gregory the Great, Dialogues 3.31).

Gregory’s letters to him survive. In one he rejoices at the news, sent by Leander, of Reccared’s conversion, and answers a question about baptism: since the Arians of Spain immersed three times, he advises the Catholics there to immerse once, and adds that where the faith is one a difference of custom does no harm. He also says that he wrote his commentary on Job for Leander (Gregory the Great, Letters 1.43). A later letter accompanies copies of that commentary and of the Pastoral Rule (Gregory the Great, Letters 5.49). Leander’s part in the council itself is discussed under the Visigoths Turn Catholic at Toledo.