Confessor, apostle of the English, first Archbishop of Canterbury, born Rome; died Canterbury, England, 604. From the monastery of Saint Andrew, in Rome, Pope Gregory I, learning that the pagans in Britain were disposed to embrace the Faith, sent Augustine and his Benedictine brethren to instruct them. Augustine landed on the Isle of Thanet and was hospitably welcomed by AEthelberht, King of Kent, who, though pagan, was married to a Christian, Bertha. AEthelberht soon embraced the Faith, and on Christmas Day 10,000 of his people were baptized. Augustine went to Gaul to receive episcopal consecration from the Archbishop of Arles, and on his return, at a spot still called Augustine's Oak in Malmesbury, he convoked a synod of the Celtic bishops of southern Britain, in an unsuccessful attempt to introduce ecclesiastical uniformity in Britain. His remains were interred outside the church of Saints Peter and Paul, Canterbury, which he had begun. Feast, Roman Calendar, May 28,. See also, patron saints index.
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