Augustine of Hippo

Description

Saint Augustine (also known as Aurelius) was born in Tagaste, Numidia in Africa, in the year 354 AD. from an ardent Christian mother, Monica (celebrated on May 4) and a pagan father, Patrikios. He completed his general studies in his homeland and then his father sent him to Madura and for higher studies in Carthage.As a young student he lived a reclusive life, from which he also had an illegitimate child. In Africa, he became a follower of Manichaeism, but when he later arrived in Milan his mother’s fervent all-night prayers,the careful study of the Holy Scriptures by him and the fiery sermons of the Bishop of Milan Ambrosios, brought Augustino to Christianity, he asked to be catechized and was baptized as a Christian together with his 15-year-old son Adeodatus.Later he returned to Africa where he taught and ardently spread Christianity and after his mother’s death he went to Rome.When in 391 AD he visited some of his friends in Hippo (on the coast of Numidia), the bishop of the city, appreciating his rich gifts, his passion for teaching and his profound theological knowledge, ordained him elder and later assistant bishop. After the death of Valerius, he was succeeded on the throne of the Bishopric of Hippo in 396 AD.
He shepherded his flock with wisdom and discernment for a full 34 years and peacefully fell asleep at the age of 76 on August 28, 430 AD.
The Order of the Saint was compiled by Iakovos the Saint, published in Smyrna in 1861 AD. and Archimandrite Ioannis Danielidis, who was published in Athens in 1914 AD.