Augustine of Canterbury, St

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Augustine of Canterbury, St (d. 604 or 605). Missionary to England and first archbishop of Canterbury. He was sent by Pope Gregory in 596 to re-establish the church in England. A few months after his landing in 597, Christianity was formally adopted by King Ethelbert of Kent. About 603 he attempted but failed to reach an agreement with the Celtic Church on matters of discipline and practice. At Canterbury, he helped to establish the monastery of Sts Peter and Paul, where the first ten archbishops were buried.

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Augustine of Canterbury, St

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