Theodore of Canterbury, Saint

Theodore of Canterbury, Saint

(born c. 602, Tarsus, Cilicia, Asia Minor—died Sept. 19, 690, Canterbury, Kent, Eng.; feast day September 19) Seventh archbishop of Canterbury (668–690). He was sent from Rome to Canterbury, where he helped establish a famous school at the monastery later known as St. Augustine's. Theodore organized and centralized the English church, calling its first general synod (672) to end Celtic practices, affirm church doctrine, and divide dioceses. He deposed Wilfrid as bishop of York in 677 but restored him in 686; he also made peace between King Aethelred of Mercia and King Ecgfrith of Northumbia.