Augustine

(Aurelius Augustinus)

(354-430)

   He is a famous Christian saint and was the bishop of Hippo Regius or modern Annaba in eastern Algeria. Saint Augustine was born in Tagaste (modern Souk-Ahras) in eastern Numidia and educated in Madauros and Carthage. He went to Rome in 383, and in 387 he was baptized by Bishop Saint Ambrose of Milan. After his stay in Rome, he returned to Tagaste, where he founded a monastery. There he remained until 391, when he became a priest of Hippo. Eventually, he succeeded Valerius as bishop of Hippo until his death during the siege of the city by the Vandals. He spent much of his time as bishop reconciling the Donatist split from the Christian church. In contrast to the Donatist position, Augustine believed in cooperation with Rome. He championed Catholicism against Manichaeanism and Pelagianism.

   His most famous works are the Confessions and The City of God. Confessions is a narrative of his life and spiritual development. The City of God provides a philosophy of history. He claims that history is paradoxical but providential, leading to the Second Coming of Christ, or the Parousia. He also promoted education, leading to the rise of the Augustinian order of priests. He is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint, as is his mother, Sainte Monica (322-387), the patroness of wives and mothers.