Saint Adrian of Canterbury
Episcopal Student Association
at the University of Tulsa




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Adrian of Canterbury?
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ST. ADRIAN, ABBOT AT CANTERBURY (Died 710 AD)
Feast: January 9

Adrian was an African by birth. Born c.635 in North Africa. In the mid 640's, his family fled to Naples, Italy ahead of the Muslim invasion.

He became a Benedictine monk quite young. He was made Abbot of Hiridanum, Isle of Nisida, Bay of Naples.

He was acquainted with the Eastern Emperor Constans II, who introduced him to Pope Vitalian. Adrian quickly became an advisor to the Pontiff. He was offered the Archbishopric of Canterbury. He declined it citing unworthiness. Theodore of Tarsus was sent instead, but Adrian was persuaded to accompany Theodore to Britain as an assistant. The two traveled separately. During Adrian's journey across Europe, he was detained for some time by the Franks who suspected him to be an envoy of Constans II.

Adrian arrived in Britain in 669 and Theodore appointed him abbot of Saints Peter and Paul abbey, a monastery founded by Augustine of Canterbury which was later renamed Saint Augustine's. The abbot also helped the archbishop in his pastoral undertakings. Adrian and Theodore were highly successful missionaries in largely pagan Britain. There can be no doubt that the flourishing of the English Church in Theodore's time owed much to Adrian.

Adrian set up a school at Saints Peter and Paul abbey where he "poured the waters of wholesome knowledge day by day," according to Bede. Adrian taught Latin, Greek, poetry, astronomy and math, as well as Scripture. The school became famous for its teaching. Bede records that Saint Adrian was "very learned in the Holy Scriptures, very experienced in administering the church and the monastery, and a great Greek and Latin scholar." He also is said to have commented that some of Adrian's students spoke Latin and Greek equally as well as their native languages. Under his leadership, the School of Canterbury became the center of English learning.

Adrian is known for interceding with students in trouble with their teachers.

Adrian died 9 January 710 of natural causes at Canterbury, England, and is buried there.


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