354-430) Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. Augustine was the greatest of the early Fathers and one of the most influential theologians of all time. He rejected the Christian teaching of his mother and lived a life of debauchery, involved in the study and teaching of philosophy until his sudden conversion to Christianity in 386. In his words, "I was... weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo, I heard the voice as of a boy or girl, I know not which, coming from a neighbouring house, chanting, and oft repeating, 'Take up and read; take up and read.' Immediately my countenance was changed, and I began most earnestly to consider whether it was usual for children in any kind of game to sing such words; nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So, restraining the torrent of my tears, I rose up, interpreting it no other way than as a command to me from Heaven to open the book, and to read the first chapter I should light upon." Augustine put his faith in Christ. His most important works include Confessions, Enchiridion ad Laurentium and The City of God.
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