Laurence of Canterbury

This article is about the Archbishop of Canterbury. For other saints of this name, see Saint Lawrence (disambiguation).

Saint

Laurence
Archbishop of Canterbury
Stone set on the ground inscribed with "Laurence, second Archbishop of Canterbury 605–619, d. 619"
Gravestone marking the site of Laurence's burial in St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury
Appointedc. 604
Term ended2 February 619
PredecessorAugustine of Canterbury
SuccessorMellitus
Orders
Consecrationc. 604
by Augustine of Canterbury
Personal details
Died2 February 619
BuriedSt Augustine's Abbey
Sainthood
Feast day3 February
Venerated in
CanonizedPre-Congregation
ShrinesSt Augustine's Abbey

Laurence[a] (died 2 February 619) was the second Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from about 604 to 619. He was a member of the Gregorian mission sent from Italy to England to Christianise the Anglo-Saxons from their native Anglo-Saxon paganism, although the date of his arrival is disputed. He was consecrated archbishop by his predecessor, Augustine of Canterbury, during Augustine's lifetime, to ensure continuity in the office. While archbishop, he attempted unsuccessfully to resolve differences with the native British bishops by corresponding with them about points of dispute. Laurence faced a crisis following the death of King Æthelberht of Kent, when the king's successor abandoned Christianity; he eventually reconverted. Laurence was revered as a saint after his death in 619.

  1. ^ Hutchinson-Hall Orthodox Saints p. 95
  2. ^ Blair World of Bede p. 85
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ASE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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