Helvidius was a Christian writer in late 4th-century CE Rome (see Jer. Helv. 1); his status as layman or priest is uncertain. He was possibly a disciple of the “Arian” bishop Auxentius of Milan (see Gennad. Vir. ill. 32; Arianism). Around 380 CE he opposed the concept of an ascetic known as Craterius (see Helv. 16; alternative spellings: Carterius/Cartherius/Canterius), who claimed that Mary remained a virgin even after the birth of Christ (virginitas post partum). Helvi…