Saint Adrian, the renowned Abbot of St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury, is believed to have been born in Libya Cyrenaica in North Africa.

From an early age, Saint Adrian chose the monastic life and later became the abbot of a monastery at Nerida, near Naples. His wisdom and learning soon made him a trusted adviser to the Pope. About three years later, he was offered the position of Archbishop of Canterbury. Saint Adrian humbly declined the appointment but agreed to travel to England as a close counsellor to Theodore, who was chosen for the role.

After spending some time in France, Saint Adrian arrived in Britain, where he succeeded Benedict Biscop as Abbot of St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury. As abbot, he founded a thriving monastic school that became famous across England. Many future bishops and abbots were trained there, receiving instruction in Latin, Greek, Sacred Scripture, theology, Roman law, and arithmetic.

Saint Adrian died on January 9 in Canterbury, Kent. Centuries after his death, his body was found to be incorrupt, strengthening devotion to his memory and witness of holiness.