The city of St. Augustine is named for Saint Augustine of Hippo, a patron of the early church. But how did the city come to be named for him, and why? Augustine pronounced ah-GUS-tin was born and lived much of his life in Hippo, a seaport city in North Africa, part of present-day Algeria. He served as a church priest, a bishop, and a theologian during the early s.
In the centuries since his death, he has remained an important figure in Christianity, serving as an inspiration for those who struggle with their faith and with temptation. Augustine did not begin his life as a follower of Christ.
During his youth, he struggled with morality and the seemingly impossible prospect of living according to the Christian ideal. To his mother's dismay, Monica later venerated as Saint Monica , Augustine experimented with non-Christian faiths and philosophies during his early adult years. Then one day, in a fit of intense frustration over his inability to reconcile godly living with the desires of the flesh, he cried out to God for help and understanding.
He heard a voice saying, "Tolle, lege," which means "pick up and read" in Latin. He picked up the Bible and it opened to the letters of St. Paul, who had overcome similar struggles in his own life. Taking comfort in the words of the epistle writer, Augustine repented for his hedonistic habits and devoted his life to serving God. After his baptism and conversion to Christianity in , Augustine practiced poverty and charity.
Drawing upon both his personal experiences and his considerable education in rhetoric, he wrote powerful works including Confessions and The City of God , which many consider foundational to Christian theology.
