Saint’s Corner - St. Ethelbert
(King of Kent)
On February 24th, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ethelbert. In the year 560 he became King of the southern part of England. He married a princess of the Franks who was a Christian. In the year 597 Saint Augustine of Canterbury arrived in England and began to preach Christianity fervently. Due to this preaching, and to the faithful example of his wife, King Ethelbert left his heathen ways behind and converted to Christianity and gave it his full support.
St. Ethelbert was very concerned with the welfare of his people. His laws were considered very just. He did away with idol worship in his kingdom and had many of their temples turned into churches. He was also instrumental in helping convert two nearby kings to Christianity. He died in 616 A.D.