St. Augustine of Canterbury, often called the ”Apostle to the English”, and not to be confused with St.Augustine the theologian, is a pivotal figure in the Christian history of England.
As the first Archbishop of Canterbury and a missionary sent by Pope Gregory the Great, his efforts in the late 6th and early 7th centuries played a crucial role in establishing Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.
His mission laid the foundation for the spread of the faith across the British Isles and the eventual establishment of the Church of England. He’s also the man who first introduced the fasting rules around lent, and hence Shrove Tuesday.

Early Life
Little is known about Augustine’s early life, but he was likely born in the late 6th century in Italy. He was a monk at the Benedictine monastery of St. Andrew in Rome, a community deeply influenced by the leadership and teachings of Pope Gregory the Great (see picture).

Gregory selected Augustine to lead a mission to England in 596 CE after hearing of the Anglo-Saxons’ spiritual needs and pagan practices.
The mission arose from a fortuitous encounter: according to tradition, Gregory saw fair-haired Anglo-Saxon children being sold as slaves in a Roman marketplace.
Struck by their appearance, he reportedly remarked, “They are not Angles but angels,” expressing his desire to convert their people to Christianity.
This moment inspired Gregory to send Augustine and a group of around 40 monks to England.
Arrival in England

Augustine’s journey was fraught with uncertainty and fear. The monks, unfamiliar with the Anglo-Saxons and apprehensive about their reception, considered abandoning the mission. However, Gregory encouraged them to persevere.
In 597 CE, Augustine and his companions arrived in the Kingdom of Kent, ruled by King Æthelberht, whose wife, Bertha, was a Frankish Christian. Bertha’s influence proved instrumental in facilitating Augustine’s mission, as she allowed him to preach freely and provided the group with protection.
Augustine initially established himself in the town of Canterbury, the kingdom’s capital, and converted Æthelberht to Christianity. The king’s baptism was a turning point, as it encouraged many of his subjects to embrace the faith. Augustine’s approach was gradual and respectful of local customs, which helped him gain acceptance among the Anglo-Saxon population.
Establishing the Church

Augustine’s success in Kent led to his consecration as Archbishop of the English by the Bishop of Arles in Gaul (modern-day France).
Upon his return, he established the Church in Canterbury as the center of Christianity in England, a role it maintains to this day.
He founded the cathedral that would later become Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most significant religious sites in England.
Augustine also established a monastic tradition, founding a monastery that would become St. Augustine’s Abbey. This institution served as a center for learning and missionary work, influencing the development of the Church across the country.
Challenges and Conflicts

Despite his successes, Augustine faced significant challenges in uniting the various Christian traditions present in Britain.
Before his mission, Christianity had already been introduced to Britain during Roman times, and a distinct Celtic Church had developed. Augustine sought to bring the Celtic Church into alignment with Roman practices, particularly regarding the date of Easter and liturgical customs.
In 602 or 603 CE, Augustine convened a meeting with British bishops at a location traditionally identified as Aust in Gloucestershire. The talks failed, as the Celtic leaders resisted Roman authority and Augustine’s reforms.
This division between the Roman and Celtic traditions would persist for decades, only resolved later at the Synod of Whitby in 664 CE.
Legacy
St. Augustine of Canterbury died on May 26, 604 CE, and was buried in Canterbury at the monastery he founded. His feast day is celebrated on this date in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions.
Augustine’s legacy is immense. As the first Archbishop of Canterbury, he established the framework for the English Church and initiated the conversion of England to Christianity. His efforts laid the groundwork for the integration of Christian values into Anglo-Saxon society, influencing its art, law, and culture.
Augustine’s mission also had a profound impact on the development of Western Christianity.
The English Church, under his guidance, became a bridge between the Roman Catholic tradition and the Celtic practices of Britain. The reconciliation of these traditions enriched the Church and shaped its identity.