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Also known as
Apostle to the Anglo-Saxons; Apostle to the English; Austin
Memorial
27 May; 28 May on some calendars, 26 May in England and Wales
Profile
Monk and abbot of Saint Andrew's abbey in Rome. Sent by Pope Gregory the
Great with 40 brother monks, including Saint Lawrence of Canterbury to
evangelize the British Isles in 597. Before he reached the islands,
terrifying tales of the Celts sent him back to Rome in fear, but Gregory
told him he had no choice, and so he went. He established and spread the
faith throughout England; one of his earliest converts was King
AEthelberht who brought 10,000 of his people into the Church. Ordained a
bishop in Gaul (modern France) by the archbishop of Arles. Bishop of
Canterbury. First Archbishop of Canterbury. Helped re-establish contact
between the Celtic and Latin churches, though he could not establish his
desired uniformity of liturgy and practices between them. Anglican
Archbishops of Canterbury are still referred to as occupying the Chair of
Augustine.
Born
at Rome, Italy
Died
26 May 605 in Canterbury, England of natural causes; relics interred
outside the church of Saints Peter and Paul, Canterbury, a building
project he had started
Patronage
England
Representation
bishop baptizing a king
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