Justus
Justus was the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury, sent from Italy by Pope Gregory the Great as part of a mission to Christianize the Anglo-Saxons. He served as the first Bishop of Rochester before his elevation to Canterbury, where he oversaw missionary efforts and received a pallium from Pope Boniface V. After his death, he was revered as a saint with his remains translated to a shrine in Canterbury.
Key Facts
- ›Arrived in England around 601 as part of the Gregorian mission.
- ›Became the first Bishop of Rochester in 604.
- ›Urged the Irish church to adopt the Roman method of calculating Easter.
- ›Fled to Gaul following King Æthelberht's death in 616 but was reinstated.
- ›Elevated to Archbishop of Canterbury in 624.
- ›Regarded as a saint with a feast day on November 10th.
First Bishop of Rochester, Oversight of Missionaries To Northumbria, Received Pallium From Pope Boniface V
About Justus
Justus: Fourth Archbishop of Canterbury
Justus was the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from 624 until his death between 627 and 631. He was a key figure in the Gregorian mission sent to Christianize the Anglo-Saxons. Little is known about his life before his arrival in England, which is believed to have been around 601 as part of the second wave of missionaries dispatched by Pope Gregory the Great.
Life and Historical Context
Justus's career is primarily documented in Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum. He was consecrated as the first Bishop of Rochester in 604, a strategically important town. During his time as bishop, he was involved in efforts to standardize Christian practices, notably signing a letter urging the Irish church to adopt the Roman calculation for Easter. He also attended a church council in Paris in 614.
A significant challenge arose after the death of King Æthelberht of Kent in 616, which led to a pagan backlash. This forced Justus and Bishop Mellitus of London to flee to Gaul. However, Justus was reinstated in his bishopric by 617. In 624, he was elevated to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, receiving his pallium from Pope Boniface V and overseeing the dispatch of missionaries to Northumbria.
Legacy
Following his death, Justus was venerated as a saint, with his feast day celebrated on November 10th. His remains were moved to a shrine in St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury in the late 11th century. His life and career represent an important chapter in the early Christianization of England.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Justus arrive in England?
Justus probably arrived in England around 601 with the second group of missionaries dispatched by Pope Gregory I. Some modern writers suggest he was among the original missionaries who arrived with Augustine in 597, but Bede's account indicates a later arrival.
What was Justus's role before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury?
Before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 624, Justus was consecrated as the first Bishop of Rochester in 604. He also attended a church council in Paris in 614.
Why was Justus forced to flee England?
Following the death of King Æthelberht of Kent in 616, a pagan backlash against Christianity occurred, which forced Justus and Mellitus, the Bishop of London, to flee to Gaul. Justus was reinstated in his diocese the following year.
What significant actions did Justus take regarding Easter observance?
As Bishop of Rochester, Justus signed a letter to the Irish bishops, urging the native Celtic church to adopt the Roman method of calculating the date of Easter. This letter also noted that Irish missionaries had refused to share meals with other missionaries.
How is Justus remembered today?
Justus is revered as a saint, with a feast day on November 10th. His remains were translated to a shrine in St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury in the 1090s.
Related Archbishops
Laurence of Canterbury
Laurence of Canterbury was the second Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from approximately 604 to 619. As a member of the Gregorian mission sent from Italy, he played a key role in the Christianization of Anglo-Saxons. Despite facing challenges, including pagan backlash after King Æthelberht's death and disputes with native British bishops, Laurence is revered as a saint for his efforts in strengthening the church in England.
Augustine of Canterbury
Augustine of Canterbury was a 6th-century Christian monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in 597. Sent by Pope Gregory I, he led the Gregorian mission to Christianize Anglo-Saxon England, starting with King Æthelberht of Kent. Augustine's efforts successfully established Christianity in Kent and laid the foundation for its spread throughout the British Isles.
Isidore of Seville
Isidore of Seville was a Hispano-Roman scholar, theologian, and archbishop of Seville, widely regarded as "the last scholar of the ancient world." He played a crucial role in the conversion of the Visigothic kings to Catholicism and significantly influenced education by advocating for the establishment of seminaries. His most enduring legacy is the "Etymologiae," an encyclopedia that preserved vast amounts of classical knowledge and helped standardize punctuation.