Laurence of Canterbury

Lawrence of Canterbury († February 4 619) was the second Archbishop of Canterbury.

Life

He came 597 along with Augustine of Canterbury on the Isle of Thanet in order to participate in the Roman expedition to the Christianization of Kent. He was sent back to Pope Gregory I to report the baptism of King Aethelberht of Kent. He followed at 604 Augustine as archbishop. His successor in turn was Mellitus, Bishop of London.

While Laurentius ' government Aethelberht died (616 ), his son Eadbald returned back to the old faith, and many missionaries fled back to Gaul. But Lawrence was able to win him back. The legend says that Lawrence was going to abandon his efforts when he had a vision during a visit to St. Peter, in which he was scolded and whipped. The whip times stood out on his body, what Eadbald led to his re- conversion.

He was buried in the church of St. Peter 's Abbey, which was later renamed St. Augustine's.

As feast day is February 3 common in England.