‹ The Bishops
Apostolic & Patristic · Saint
St Augustine of Hippo
Bishop of Hippo Regius
Church FatherDoctor of the ChurchConfessor
354 – 430
391
Ordained
396
Consecrated Bishop
Hippo Regius
Diocese
Algeria
Country
The Life
St Augustine of Hippo, born at Thagaste in Roman North Africa, was converted under the preaching of St Ambrose and baptized in 387. Ordained priest at Hippo Regius in 391 and consecrated its bishop in 396, he became the most influential of the Latin Fathers and the 'Doctor of Grace.'
His 'Confessions' and 'City of God' reshaped Western thought, and his battles against Manichaeism, Donatism, and Pelagianism defined Catholic teaching on grace, original sin, and the Church. He died in 430 as the Vandals besieged Hippo.
Notable Actions
- Wrote the 'Confessions', the foundational work of Western spiritual autobiography
- Authored the 'City of God', his vast defense of Christianity and philosophy of history
- Refuted Pelagianism, defining the doctrine of grace and original sin
- Combated Donatism, developing the Catholic theology of the Church and the sacraments
- Rejected the Manichaeism he had followed for nine years
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Confessions, I.1Portrait: Philippe de Champaigne / Wikimedia Commons