This week in Christian history: Gideon Blackburn born, Isaac Backus converts, St. Augustine dies
St. Augustine dies Aug. 28, 430
This week marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential and prolific writers in Christian history, who died in Hippo, which is now Annaba, Algeria.
Born to a Christian mother and a pagan father, Augustine initially lived a life of promiscuity before having a deep conversion experience as an adult, being baptized at age 33.
After his conversion, Augustine became a priest and later a bishop. He is best known for his theological writings, most notably the lengthy opuses The City of God and Confessions.
“His numerous written works … shaped the practice of biblical exegesis and helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought,” explained Britannica.
“In Roman Catholicism he is formally recognized as a doctor of the church, a title granted to saints whose writings and teachings are considered especially important.”
In 429, a tribe known as the Vandals invaded North Africa and laid siege to Hippo. The following year, amid the violence, a 75-year-old Augustine became ill and died days later.
