Birinus


Birinus
Bishop of Dorchester
Stained glass window of Birinus at Dorchester Abbey
Appointedbefore 634
Term ended3 December 649
Predecessor diocese established
SuccessorAgilbertus
Orders
Consecrationby Asterius of Milan
Personal details
Bornc. 600
Died3 December 649 or 650
Dorchester, Wessex (England)
Sainthood
Feast day3 December (Catholic)
4 September (Anglican)
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Anglican Communion
AttributesBishop, sometimes baptising a king
PatronageBerkshire; Dorchester
ShrinesDorchester Abbey, now destroyed. Small parts survive. Modern replica now in place. (Or Winchester Cathedral, now destroyed.)

Birinus (also Berin, Birin; c. 600 – 3 December 649 or 650) was the first Bishop of Dorchester[1] and was known as the "Apostle to the West Saxons" for his conversion of the Kingdom of Wessex to Christianity. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Anglican churches.