Who Was St Paulinus ?

Although “The Paulinus Pilgrim and Heritage Way” is new and very modern in some senses, it is rooted in pilgrim tradition and culture. For many people, the name Paulinus will be unfamiliar, they will rightly ask, just who was Paulinus anyway? Hopefully the following information will help answer that question.

In the 6/7th Century, Paulinus was a young Monk, he was described by Bede as being tall and dark. He had long dark hair, a long narrow face, a hooked nose and walked with a slight stoop. Paulinus was requested by Pope Gregory the Great, to travel from Italy to Britain. He was to work with St Augustine and convert the pagan tribes to Christianity. Existing Celtic Christians were discovered in the west, they had previously been converted by Irish Monks. Whilst it was hoped that they could be converted to Roman Christianity, this was to come later, through the Synod of Whitby.

Paulinus chance at a Northern mission came when he was consecrated Bishop of The Northumbrians and sent north from Canterbury, with Christian Princess Ethelburga of Kent. Paulinus was to be Ethelburga’s Chaplain, on her marriage to the Pagan King Edwin of Northumbria. This was a potentially awkward situation. A Christian married to a pagan!

 If Paulinus could convert Edwin, it would be a major achievement. Because if the King converted, and was seen by his people to reject the traditional Anglo Saxon gods, then it was likely, they too would become Christian. Perhaps with some persuasion from Paulinus!

The King was not an easy target, Paulinus needed determination and patience. On several occasions the King said he would be baptised and backed out at the last minute concerned about the views of his priests. A lesser man than Paulinus would probably have given up.

 Then amazingly, it seemed to Paulinus that God intervened in the form of an assassin, whose attempt on the Kings life failed. That same night Ethelburga also gave birth safely to a daughter. The grateful King dedicated his daughter to Christ. She was the first Northumbrian to be baptised. The king then sought revenge on his enemies the West Saxons for the attack, promising to convert if he were successful. Once again he changed his mind.

Finally, with the help of one of Gods most humble creations, “The Sparrow”, in the form of a parable and with the help of a follower of the King, Paulinus was able to explain to the King Edwin, his priests and court, the advantages of Christianity and life after death.

 The Venerable Bede, in his book The History of The English Church and People is able to share with us this most extraordinary parable. A parable, which had such a significant impact on a King, and the eventual conversion of his people.

 Soon after “The Parable of The Sparrow” was told, the King was baptised in York on Easter day April 12th 627 AD. On this special occasion, others were also baptised by Paulinus, including most importantly Hilda, who became Abbess of Whitby. She was involved in the Synod of Whitby, which agreed the date for Easter as we know it and in so doing, backed the following of St Peter and Rome and not the Celtic Church.

 It was not long after, that King Edwin established the See of York and built a stone Church to replace the original wooden building where he was baptised. It was called St Peters. He then invited Paulinus to be The First Bishop of York.

 Paulinus was soon given the peoples title - “God’s Apostle in the North”. Working from York, supported by King Edwin, Paulinus travelled tirelessly through the often dangerous areas of Northumbria, (which we now know as Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland) converting, baptising and establishing Churches. His life must often have been in danger from the suspicious tribes living in this inaccessible region, yet despite this, the dedicated Paulinus , continued with his mission.

 This determined and exceptional man converted thousands to the Christian faith, using the nearby rivers to baptise them. The River Swale became known as “England’s River Jordan”, (according to The Anglo Saxon Chronicles) simply because Paulinus baptised tens of thousands in its waters at various locations, for example Catterick Bridge. A startling achievement, even if we allow for an element of exaggeration!

Today, although there are schools and Churches named after him, he has been forgotten by many, or simply sidelined as a minor Saint. But his incredible and substantial achievements were recognised by Pope Honorius I.

Following the tragic death of Edwin in battle, those vying for power and control made it too dangerous for his Queen to remain. Total anarchy spread throughout King Edwin’s Kingdom, thousands were put to the sword, Christians in particular were targeted as was the ex Queen of Northumbria and her family! Paulinus as the Queen’s Chaplain, was charged with her safety and escorted her and her children to Kent. But not until Paulinus had left Deacon James to look after his beloved flock. However, soon the pagan ways of the new rulers were once again the norm.

Paulinus’s loyalty was rewarded, he was received with honour in Kent and he was made Bishop of Rochester. Paulinus lived in Rochester until his death on October 10th 644 AD. This day became known as St Paulinus day. On the rebuilding of the Cathedral in Rochester, his relics were translated by Archbishop Lanfranc to a silver shrine, where they lay until the Reformation. It is said, that there were bone fragments rib and finger belonging to St Paulinus at York Minster.

We must not forget that eminent theologians and historians including Professor Robert Beckford(in his programme for channel 4’s Christianity - A History series in 2009) agree that this period of British history, including the mission of St Augustine, was perhaps one of the most important in the development of the Church and the “English People” themselves. St Paulinus was a man of these times!

PAULINUS – A symbol of hope, dedication and determination - a role model for our difficult

21st Century times!