Augustine, Saint

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Augustine, Saint (354–430) Christian theologian and philosopher. Augustine's Confessions provide a psychological self-portrait of a spirit in search of ultimate purpose. This he found in his conversion to Christianity in 386. As Bishop of Hippo, n Africa (395–430), he defended Christian orthodoxy against Manichaeism, Donatism and Pelagianism. In Enchiridion (421) he emphasized the corruption of human will and the freedom of the divine gift of grace. The City of God (426) is a model of Christian apologetic literature. Of the Four Fathers of the Latin Church, Ambrose, Jerome and Gregory I, Augustine is considered the greatest. His feast day is August 28.

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