January 9

Saint Adrian of Canterbury

Roman Martyrology

Declined to be archbishop, then spent nearly 40 years teaching in Canterbury

Adrian was born in North Africa and became abbot of a monastery near Naples, known for his learning in Scripture, Latin and Greek. Around 667 Pope Vitalian asked him to become archbishop of Canterbury. Adrian refused. He proposed a monk named Andrew, who was too ill, and then Theodore of Tarsus. The pope accepted Theodore on one condition: Adrian had to go with him.

The journey was hard. In Gaul, officials who suspected a political mission held Adrian back, and he reached England after Theodore, around 670. In Canterbury he became abbot of the monastery of St Peter and St Paul and led a school teaching Scripture, Latin, Greek, poetry, astronomy and how to calculate Easter. Bede later wrote that some pupils knew Latin and Greek as well as their own language.

Adrian never went home. He died in 710 after nearly forty years in England, remembered as a teacher who chose to serve rather than lead.

And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2 · BSB

A prayer

Faithful God, you led your servant Adrian far from his homeland and gave him joy in teaching your word to a people not his own. Give us humble hearts that are glad to serve, and make us generous in passing on to others the faith and wisdom we have received. Amen.