St. Adrian of Canterbury

In the mid 640's, his family fled to Naples, Italy ahead of Arab invasion. Adrian joined a Benedictine monastery when quite young. Later in life he became the Abbot of Hiridanum, Isle of Nisida, Bay of Naples. He was acquainted with Emperor Constans II, who later introduced him to Pope Saint Vitalian. He then became an advisor to Vitalian. He was twice offered the Archbishopric of Canterbury, England; he declined, citing unworthiness. When Saint Theodore of Tarsus was sent instead, Adrian went as his assistant with special support to aid the monastic movement in the region. He was detained in France due to suspicions of espionage for the emperor and arrived in England in 669. He became Abbot of Saint Peter's, a monastery founded by Augustine of Canterbury. Adrian and Theodore were highly successful missionaries in largely pagan England. In addition, Adrian was a great teacher of languages, mathematics, poetry, astronomy, and Bible study. Under his leadership, the School of Canterbury became the center of English learning. He worked to unify the customs of the English with the Church, and to promote Roman customs. His memorial is kept on February 9.