Adrian of Canterbury

Who they were

Adrian, an African by birth, became abbot of a monastery near Naples when very young. Pope Vitalian wanted him as Archbishop of Canterbury, but he thought himself unworthy and proposed Theodore instead; the pope agreed on condition that Adrian go with Theodore to England as his adviser.

Detained two years in France on suspicion of a secret mission, he reached England and was made abbot of St Peter's (St Augustine's) at Canterbury, which became a great centre of learning. He died in 710.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A humble African abbot who refused an archbishopric and taught England.

Connected on this site

• Aldhelm Saint Pupil
• John of Beverley Saint Pupil