Profile
In the mid 640‘s, his family fled to Naples, Italy ahead of Arab invasion. Benedictine monk when quite young. Abbot of Hiridanum, Isle of Nisida, Bay of Naples. Aquainted with Emperor Constans II, who later introduced him to Pope Saint Vitalian. Advisor to Vitalian.
Twice offered the Archbishopric of Canterbury, England; he declined, citing unworthiness. When Saint Theodore of Tarsus was sent instead, Adrian went as his assistant with special support to aid the monastic movement in the region. Detained in France due to suspicions of espionage for the emperor. Arrived in England in 669. Abbot of Saint Peter‘s, a monastery founded by Augustine of Canterbury.
Adrian and Theodore were highly successful missionaries in largely pagan England. In addition, Adrian was a great teacher of languages, mathematics, poetry, astronomy, and Bible study. Under his leadership, the School of Canterbury became the center of English learning. Worked to unify the customs of the English with the Church, and to promote Roman customs.
Born
- c.635 in North Africa as Hadrian
- 9 January 710 of natural causes at Canterbury, England, and buried there
- his tomb became a site of miracles
- body found incorrupt in 1091
Additional Information
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- Daily Prayers with the Saints, by Terry Ann Modica
- Dictionary of Saints, by John Delaney
- Domestic Church, by Catherine Fournier
- Ecole Glossary, by Karen Rae Keck
- For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
- Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
- New Catholic Dictionary
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
MLA Citation