A monk of North African origin, he went to England with Archbishop Theodore at the pope's request. As abbot in Canterbury he ran a school teaching Scripture, Latin and Greek, building up learning in the English Church.
Life
Saint Adrian of Canterbury came from North Africa and in the seventh century served as abbot of a monastery near Naples. Renowned for learning and virtue, he was proposed as Archbishop of Canterbury but declined, recommending Theodore of Tarsus instead. The pope then sent Adrian to England together with Theodore.
He became abbot of the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury and led its school for many years. There he taught Scripture, Latin, Greek and the Church's other disciplines, forming many leaders of the English Church. He died around 710.
Spirituality
Adrian's spirituality is humble service and teaching. He declined high office, choosing instead to support another, and spent his life sharing learning in a distant land. His life shows that handing on faith and learning together is a way of building the Church.
Reflection
Adrian gladly took a supporting role instead of the front seat. In our community, what necessary but unseen work could you quietly take on?