St. Augustine of Canterbury
A Roman monk sent to the edge of the known world, who turned back in fear on the road — and was sent on anyway, to plant the faith among the Anglo-Saxons and become the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Timeline of St. Augustine of Canterbury
- 595
Chosen by Pope Gregory
Gregory the Great picked Augustine, prior of his own monastery of St. Andrew in Rome, to lead a mission to the pagan Anglo-Saxons of Britain.
- 596
The journey begins — and falters
Setting out with about forty monks, the party was seized with dread in Gaul and sent Augustine back to Rome to beg release; Gregory refused and sent them on with a letter of encouragement.
- 597
Lands in Kent
The monks landed on the Isle of Thanet and met King Æthelberht in the open air, carrying a silver cross and a painted image of Christ. He let them preach and settle in Canterbury.
- 597
Bishop, and a Christmas baptism
Æthelberht was converted, Augustine was consecrated a bishop, and word reached Rome that more than ten thousand of the English were baptized on Christmas Day.
- 601
The pallium arrives
Gregory sent fresh missionaries — Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus, and Rufinianus — with books, relics, sacred vessels, and the pallium that made Augustine an archbishop.
- c. 603
Augustine's Oak
He met the bishops of the older British church to seek their unity and help; the talks broke down, and they refused to accept him.
- 604
London and Rochester
Augustine consecrated Mellitus bishop of London and Justus bishop of Rochester, and named Laurence to succeed himself.
- 604
Death at Canterbury
He died on May 26 and was buried near the unfinished monastery of Saints Peter and Paul, later renamed St. Augustine's Abbey.
