ST. PAULINUS OF YORK (OCT 10TH)

St Paulinus of York, Bishop (+644) 

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

St. Paulinus of York, a Roman missionary, was among the first to bring the light of Christ to the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria. Born in Rome, he was chosen to be part of the second group of the famous Gregorian mission, dispatched by Pope Gregory the Great in AD 601. This mission sought to convert the Anglo-Saxons, who were then largely pagan, to the Christian Faith. While little is known of Paulinus' specific actions during the two decades that followed his arrival in England in AD 604, his influence would become clearer with the unfolding of providence.

By AD 625, Paulinus had been consecrated as a bishop. He was appointed to accompany Æthelburg, the Christian sister of King Eadbald of Kent, on her journey to Northumbria, where she was to marry the pagan King Edwin of Northumbria. Æthelburg's marriage was a pivotal moment for the Christianization of the region, and Paulinus played a central role in this transformative mission. He worked tirelessly to convert King Edwin to Christianity, a task that bore fruit in AD 627 when Edwin, after a long period of deliberation, was baptized. Edwin’s conversion marked a turning point for Northumbria, and under Paulinus’ pastoral care, many of the king's subjects soon followed, receiving the sacrament of baptism and embracing the Christian faith.

Among those baptized by Paulinus was Hilda of Whitby, who would go on to become one of the great saints of the English Church, leading the double monastery at Whitby and influencing many in her path toward holiness. Paulinus’ evangelical efforts did not end with conversions; he established churches and religious communities to nurture the newfound faith of Northumbria.

However, in AD 633, tragedy struck with the death of King Edwin in battle. His death led to political instability, and Paulinus, along with Æthelburg, was forced to flee back to Kent for safety. While Northumbria temporarily fell back into paganism, Paulinus left behind a faithful servant of Christ, James the Deacon, who continued to minister to the Northumbrian Christians and preserve the fledgling church in the region.

After fleeing Northumbria, Paulinus was appointed Bishop of Rochester in Kent, where he continued his work of shepherding the faithful and establishing the Church. In recognition of his tireless missionary efforts, Pope Honorius I sent Paulinus the pallium, symbolizing his elevation as Archbishop of York. However, Paulinus never returned to York, and the pallium arrived too late for him to resume his work in Northumbria. Despite this, his legacy as the first Archbishop of York and as one who planted the seeds of faith in northern England was secured.

St. Paulinus reposed in AD 644, and his life of missionary zeal and pastoral care led to his veneration as a saint. His efforts laid the foundation for the flourishing of Christianity in northern England, and his memory is cherished as a key figure in the early Church of the Anglo-Saxons.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, who didst send thy servant Saint Paulinus to preach the Gospel to the people of Northumbria, and by his labors and sufferings didst lay a foundation for thy Church in England: Grant, we beseech thee, that as he with steadfast courage spread abroad the light of thy truth, we, being grounded in the same faith, may show forth thy praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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