Ethelbert of Kent

St. Ethelbert, King of Kent, first Christian king of the English.

St. Ethelbert was King of Kent when St. Augustine and his monks arrived from Rome in 597. He received them kindly, was baptised, and allowed the free preaching of the Gospel, founding churches at Canterbury and elsewhere.

He reposed in 616 and is honoured as the first Christian king of the English.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Ethelbert of Kent is commemorated on February 24. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 9 (a day earlier in leap years) of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on February 24

• 

  Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist

  Great Feast, Εύρεσις Κεφαλής Προδρόμου

  First and Second Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Forerunner.

  Name days: John, Ioannis, Yiannis, Prodromos

• Erasmus of the Kiev Caves

  Venerable, Έρασμος

  Venerable Erasmus of the Kiev Near Caves.

  Name days: Erasmos, Erasmus

• John the Harvester

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο Θεριστής

  Venerable John the Harvester of Calabria.

• Boisil of Melrose

  Venerable, Βοϊσίλος

  Venerable Boisil, Abbot of Melrose in Scotland, teacher of St. Cuthbert.