The Sermon on the Life of St. Honoratus was presented by Hilary of Arles at the first (most probably) anniversary of Honoratus` death. Honoratus died in 430 just two years after having been made the bishop of Arles. His successor was Hilary himself, his fellow countryman and pupil, who accompanied Honoratus when he left the monastery on the island of Lérins (of which Honoratus was founder and first abbot) for his new episcopal position in Arles. After some time, Hilary returned to the monastery only to venture back to Arles, when he was chosen by the dying Honoratus as his worthy successor in the bishopric.