Life of Saint Augustine.docx

**Saint Augustine** -- [November 13, 354 -- August 28, 430, Bishop of Hippo], in [Algeria,] was a philosopher and theologian. Augustine, a Latin Father and Doctor of the Church, is one of the most important figures in the development of [**Western Christianity**.] Augustine is **[radically influence...

**Saint Augustine** -- [November 13, 354 -- August 28, 430, Bishop of Hippo], in [Algeria,] was a philosopher and theologian. Augustine, a Latin Father and Doctor of the Church, is one of the most important figures in the development of [**Western Christianity**.] Augustine is **[radically influenced by Platonic doctrines]**. He framed the concept of **[original sin]** and **[just war]**. When the Roman empire in the west was starting to disintegrate, Augustine [**developed the concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God**,] distinct from material City of Man. His thought profoundly influenced the medieval worldview. **Augustine** was born in the **[city of Tagaste]**, the present day, **[Souk Ahras, Algeria]**, to a Christian mother, **[Saint Monica]**. He was educated in **[North Africa]** and resisted his mother's pleas to become Christian. Living as a pagan intellectual, he took a concubine and became a **[Manichean]**. Later he converted to Christianity, **became a bishop and opposed heresies**, such as the belief that people can have the ability to choose to be good to such a degree as to merit salvation without the divine aid **[(Pelagianism)]**. His works -- including ***[The Confessions]***, which is often called the ***[first Western autobiography]*** -- are still read around the world. In addition, he believed in Papal Supremacy. In [Roman Catholicism] and the [Anglican Communion], he is a saint and pre-eminent **[Doctor of the Church]**, and the patron of the **[Augustinian religious order.]** Many **[Protestants, especially Calvinists,]** consider him to be one of the **[theological fathers of Reformation]** teaching on **[salvation]** and **[grace.]** In the **[Eastern Orthodox Church, he is a saint]**, and his feast day is celebrated annually on ***[June 15]***, though minority are of the opinion that he is a heretic, primarily because of his statements concerning what became known as the ***[filioque clause]*** Among the Orthodox he is called **Blessed Augustine**, or **St Augustine the Blessed**. "Blessed" here does not mean that he is less than a saint, but is a title bestowed upon him as a sign of respect. SUMMARY -- INFORMATION ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE I. Important dates in his life **Nov 13, 354** -- born at Tagaste (North Africa) **365** -- goes to Madaura (a nearby city) to take up Secondary Education **370** -- goes to CARTHAGE (Capital City of the Roman Empire in North Africa) - Death of his father, Patricius - Reads the Hortensius of Cicero - Falls in love with Melania **373** -- Becomes a Manichean - Goes back to Tagaste as a teacher of Grammar **374** -- Looking for new challenges and a better professional standing, moves to CARTHAGE as a teacher of Rhetorics **383** -- Tired of dealing naughty students and trying to get into the challenging cosmopolitan life of the capital of the Roman Empire, sails for Rome teacher of Liberal Arts **385** -- goes to Milan (Residence of the Emperor) as the Official Rhetor or teacher of the Imperial Palace, after winning the Position in an open contest. - His mother, St. Monica joins him - Meets St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan **Sept. 386 (Milan)** -- his conversion to the Catholic Faith - Spends a few months at a Cassiciacum, together with his mother and friends, preparing for BAPTISM **Easter of 387** -- is baptized by St. Ambrose at the Cathedral of Milan - Decides to return to Africa with his mother, his son Adeodatus and his friends **391** -- Ordained priest at HIPPO, founds the second monastery of Augustinians **395** -- Consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Hippo **396** -- After the death of Valerius, becomes residential Bishop of Hippo - Third Monastery of Augustinians (He and his priests) **426** -- Published the "City of God" **August 28, 430** -- DEATH of ST. AUGUSTINE (Hippo) II. Important Persons in His Life a. His Family - **[ST. MONICA]**, his Mother. A humble and prayerful woman, mainly responsible for his conversion. A living example of a Christian mother & wife. - **[PATRICIUS]**, his father. A pagan officer of the Municipality of Tagaste. Hard tempered. Very much concerned about the education of St. Augustine, but totally careless about his normal life. Became a Catholic at the end of his life, thanks to the influence of St. Monica - **[NAVICUS]**, his brother. An intelligent student, died at a young age. - **[PERPETUA,]** his sister. Entered religious life and became the Superior of her covent - **[MELANIA]**, his girlfriend and mother of his son. After the conversion of St. Augustine, she went back to Africa and entered a religious life - **[ADEODATUS]**, his son. A bright boy. Died as a teenager. b. His companions and friends St. Augustine was a "Barkada Man" a "Community of Man" He was always surrounded by friends and always faithful to their friendship. That is why friendship became the foundation of Augustinian way of life. The familiar names of ALPIUS, LICENTIUS, TRIGETIUS, ROMANIANUS, EVODIUS and many others appear practically in all the pages of his dialogues and confessions. Some of them joined St. Augustine in his monastery and, after the proper training became important rulers of the Church of Africa. Special mention should be made to the following: **ALPIUS** -- immortalized in the CONFESSIONS as "my other half", the "brother of my heart". Townmate of St. Augustine. His companion at Carthage, Rome, Milan, and Tagaste. Member of the first Augustinian community, Bishop of Tagaste. **EVODIUS** -- also from Tagaste. Member of the group in Milan and one of the first Augustinians in Africa Bishop of Uzala **POSSIDIUS** -- author of the first LIFE OF ST AUGUSTINE. Bishop of Calama. c. His motivators and Inspirators: - **ROMANIUS** -- a rich man from Tagaste. He paid for the studies of St Augustine at Carthage. As token of appreciation for his generosity St. Augustine later undertook the education of his patron's son, LICENTIUS. - **CICERO** -- a Latin poet and writer. The reading of his book, Hortencius, at the age of 17, meant the starting point in the conversion of St. Augustine - **FAUSTUS** -- the big "boss" and mentor of the Manicheans. The much awaited dialogue with him signified a total disappointment for St. Augustine. As a consequence, he left the Manichean. Sect and moved the church. - **ST AMBROSE** -- Bishop of Milan. His sermons and friendly talks, combined with the motherly advises of St. Monica, were a decisive factor in conversion of St Augustine.