On September 19, the Church commemorates St. Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the great saints of early Christian England.

Born in Tarsus—the birthplace of the Apostle Paul—Theodore was a highly educated Greek monk living in Rome. He was advanced through the clerical ranks and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at approximately 65 years of age. St. Adrian, an African abbot from a monastery near Naples, was sent to assist him.

Theodore arrived in Kent in 669, when he was nearly 70. Despite his age, he traveled throughout England, founded churches, consecrated bishops to vacant sees, created new dioceses, and established an influential school at Canterbury where Greek was taught.

He also resolved a serious dispute involving St. Wilfrid and St. Chad. Although Chad’s consecration had been irregular, Theodore recognized his holiness, regularized his episcopal consecration, and sent him to serve as Bishop of Mercia. St. Wilfrid was restored to his see.

Theodore summoned the Council of Hertford, the first council representing the whole English Church. He later convened a synod at Hatfield to defend Orthodox teaching and condemn Monothelitism.

St. Theodore fell asleep in the Lord in 690. Through his leadership, the English Church achieved a unity that the country’s competing kingdoms had not attained. His diocesan organization helped form the basis of English Church administration for generations.

St. Theodore of Tarsus, pray for us!

00:00 Introduction
00:18 St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury
00:25 A Greek monk from St. Paul’s hometown
00:33 Consecrated archbishop at age 65
00:42 St. Adrian is sent to assist him
00:50 Theodore arrives in Kent
00:58 Founding churches and consecrating bishops
01:04 New dioceses and the Canterbury school
01:12 The dispute over episcopal succession
01:21 St. Wilfrid travels to Gaul
01:30 St. Chad’s irregular consecration
01:38 Theodore recognizes Chad’s worthiness
01:45 Wilfrid restored and Chad sent to Mercia
01:53 The Council of Hertford
02:01 Defending Orthodoxy at Hatfield
02:09 Theodore’s repose and incorrupt body
02:16 Uniting the English Church
02:23 His enduring administrative legacy
02:32 Moral and canonical authority

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives

#StTheodore #ArchbishopOfCanterbury #OrthodoxSaints #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #EnglishChurchHistory #StWilfrid #StChad #OrthodoxChristianity #CatholicChristianity #ChristianHistory #IncorruptSaints #September19Saints

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