Born in Africa; died at Canterbury, England, January 9, 710.
Saint Adrian became abbot at Nerida near Naples, Italy. Upon the death
of Saint Deusdedit, the archbishop of Canterbury (England), Pope Saint
Vitalian chose Adrian to replace the bishop because of his great
learning and piety. Adrian seemed to be the perfect leader for a nation
new in its Christianity. Yet Adrian demurred saying that he was not
fitted for such a great dignity. He said that he would find someone else
more suited for the task.
The first substitute was too ill to become archbishop. Again the pope
urged the post on Adrian. Again Adrian begged permission to find someone
else. At that time a Greek monk from Tarsus named Theodore was in Rome.
Adrian nominated Theodore to the pope. Theodore was willing to become
archbishop of Canterbury, but only if Adrian agreed to come to England
and help him. Adrian readily consented to this compromise. It was agreed
that Adrian would accompany Theodore to England as his assistant and
adviser. On March 26, 668, Theodore was consecrated archbishop of
Canterbury and two months later the two set sail for England.
They were a perfect team. Theodore appointed Adrian abbot of SS Peter
and Paul abbey, afterward called Saint Augustine's, at Canterbury, where
he taught Greek and Latin for 39 years. Here Adrian's learning and
virtues were best employed. In addition to these languages, Adrian
taught poetry, astronomy and math, as well as Scripture and virtue.
Into the minds of his students, Adrian "poured the waters of wholesome
knowledge day by day," according to the Venerable Bede. The school
became famous for its teaching and trained such as Saints Aldhelm and
Oftfor. 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.
The abbot also helped the archbishop in his pastoral undertakings. There
can be no doubt that the flourishing of the English Church in Theodore's
time owed much to Adrian.
Adrian was known for miracles that helped students in trouble with their
masters, and miracles were associated with his tomb in Saint Augustine's
Church
(
Attwater,
Benedictines,
Bentley,
Delaney,
Encyclopaedia,
Gill,
Walsh,
White).
