Saint Paulinus of York
Saint Paulinus of York (born c. 584 AD in Rome, Italy; died October 10, 644 AD in Rochester, Kent, England) was a Roman monk who came to England with Augustine's second mission in 601 AD and became the first Bishop of York, baptizing King Edwin of Northumbria and thousands of his subjects. After Edwin's death in battle he withdrew to Rochester, where he served as bishop until his own death. His feast day is October 10.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Paulinus of York
| Saint Paulinus of York | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 10 |
| Profession | Roman monk; Bishop of York (first, 625–633 AD); Bishop of Rochester (633–644 AD); missionary to Northumbria |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Church of England (venerated); Roman mission to England; first Bishop of York; early English church; Augustinian mission |
| Patronage | York; Northumbria; the Diocese of York; missionaries to England; those who baptize adults; church builders; those who continue serving after defeat |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; large golden cross (described by Bede); baptismal font or river (baptism of Edwin); York Minster silhouette; small wooden church |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (traditional) |
| Death Place | Rochester, Kent, England |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died October 10, 644 AD, at Rochester; he had served as Bishop of Rochester from 633 to 644 AD after withdrawing from Northumbria following the death of King Edwin; he was found holding his cross in prayer; he died as bishop in Kent, far from the Northumbrian church he had founded |
| Primary Shrine | York Minster, York — the cathedral built on the site of his wooden baptistery is his principal memorial; no distinct relic shrine survives; Rochester Cathedral — his final see; venerated in English church broadly |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); October 10; Feast in England |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in England |
Biography
Paulinus was a Roman monk who came to England as part of the second wave of Augustine's mission in 601 AD. He labored in the south of England for over two decades.
In 625 AD he accompanied the Kentish princess Æthelburh north to marry King Edwin of Northumbria, serving as her chaplain. He spent two years engaging Edwin in theological discussion. On April 12, 627 (Easter Saturday), he baptized King Edwin and his nobles at York — the founding moment of the northern English church. He was consecrated the first Bishop of York.
He traveled throughout Northumbria, preaching and conducting mass baptisms in rivers. Bede records 36 days at the royal vill of Yeavering baptizing "all the people who came to him from the surrounding villages."
When King Edwin was killed at the Battle of Hatfield Chase in 633 AD, the Northumbrian mission collapsed. Paulinus accompanied Queen Æthelburh back to Kent and became Bishop of Rochester, serving there until his death on October 10, 644 AD.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (traditional)
Death location: Rochester, Kent, England
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- York Minster — built on the site of his wooden baptistery; his principal memorial.
- Rochester Cathedral — his final see.
Feast day
October 10
Veneration
Saint Paulinus of York was the first Bishop of York and the man who baptized King Edwin of Northumbria, founding the northern English church. His deed is the founding moment of York Minster. His feast is October 10.
Prayers
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