Augustine of Hippo (354 to 430)

Augustine is the famous ancient Church Father. He was born in Thagaste (now: Souk Ahras, Algeria), North Africa on November 13, 354. His mother, Monica or Monnica, was a Christian from a religious family; while his father Patricius, a landlord and city elder who was still a pagan. Thanks to Monica's persistent prayer spirit, Patricius repented and was washed near the time of his death. Patricius' disbelief had a profound effect on his son Augustine. Because of that Augustine was not yet washed into Christianity even though he was already a big boy. Her mother's attempts to plant the seeds of Christian faith in her seemed powerless to break the influence of his father's paganism. He has a sister named Navigius and a sister whose name is unknown, who became the head of a monastery for women.

In 383 he went to Rome and then to Milan, the city of government and the hometown of Bishop Ambrose. In Milano he taught rhetoric. Many Romans flocked to him just to hear his lectures and speeches. It was in that city that he met Bishop Saint Ambrose, a devout former governor. He witnessed closely the wise, friendly and loving way of life of the monks. His heart was touched and he began to think: "What is the basis of their life? Is the gospel that colored their lives? " Apart from that, he often listened to Bishop Ambrose's sermons and was interested in all of his teachings. All of that returned to his awareness of his mother's advice when he was still in Thagaste. One day, he heard the magic voice of a child: "Take it and read it!" Without much thought, he immediately touched the Bible, opened it and read: “Let us live modestly as it is daytime, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ as the armor of light and do not take care of your body to satisfy its desires. " (Rom 13: 13-14).

Augustine, who had studied philosophy a lot, finally opened his mind and saw the true truth, namely the divine revelation brought by Jesus Christ. He later repented and together with his friend Alipius, he was bathed in 387. In his book "Confession", he wrote a history of his life and repentance and frankly confessed how much he was shackled by the evil of sin and the teachings of Manichaeism. His conscience continued to encourage him to improve his way of life like so many others who followed Saint Anthony of Egypt.

In 388, he returned to Africa with his mother Monika. In the port city of Ostia, his mother died. During the first years of his life in Africa, he meditated and prayed a lot with some of his friends. Then he was ordained a priest in 391, and served in Hippo as assistant bishop of the city. After the bishop's death in 395, he was elected Bishop of Hippo. For 35 years he was the center of religious life in Africa. He glorified God's great grace on him in various forms of songs and writings. His writings include 113 books, 218 letters and 500 sermons. Countless sinners have repented by reading his writings. His writings are considered by philosophers and theologians to be an important source of spiritual knowledge. All the truths of the Christian faith are described precisely and deeply so as to move people's hearts.

Augustine died on August 28, 430, when Hippo was besieged by the Vandals. It is said that he had advised the townspeople to fight off the attackers, primarily based on the reason that the Vandals had adhered to the Arian heresy. He died at the age of not yet 76 years. Four years before he died, he chose a successor named Heraclius. His tomb is located in St. Peter's Basilica. Saint Augustine is remembered as the Bishop and Poet of the Church and made the patron saint of seminarians. The party is celebrated every August 28.