This Theodore who, like the Apostle Paul, was a native of Tarsus, lived as a monk at Rome, where he was well known for godliness and learning. At that time Pope Vitalian was in treaty to send an Archbishop to Canterbury after the death of Deusdedit, the sixth who had ministered to that church since blessed Augustine. The Pope offered this dignity to the Abbot Hadrian, who excused himself out of lowliness, and put forward Theodore. Theodore therefore was consecrated and sent into England, with Abbot Hadrian for his companion, who was a man both learned and holy. As soon as he had come to Canterbury, he made a visitation to his own diocese, and also to the whole of England taking the said Hadrian with him everywhere. He was well received, and therefore he was able to set forth everywhere a right order of living and the canonical rule for the keeping of Easter. He also ordained bishops in meet places, and corrected with their help such things as needed amending. This it came about that the Archbishop of Canterbury was recognized as the Primate of all England. * For as much as Theodore himself, and the blessed Hadrian also, were excellently taught in letters both sacred and profane, they opened everywhere Church schools. Hence the Venerable Bede saith that brighter times never shone on England than those wherein Theodore administered her Church. She had kings who were both mighty and godly, and all men were longing to be taught in heavenly things from the famous masters at hand. Many learnt by their instruction, and so lighted England by their teaching and holiness that this would seem to be the golden age of the Church of England. Neither did Theodore and Hadrian give sacred letters only to the hearers, but worldly learning also, as the handmaid of theology. * Blessed Theodore oftentimes held Synods, wherein he passed wholesome decrees. He is reputed to have published a Book of Penitentials for the reformation of the lives of the faithful. His chief care was to ordain as bishops men above all cavil. He it was that translated blessed Chad to be Bishop of Litchfield. He it was who consecrated holy Erconwald as Bishop of London ; holy John of Beverley, Bishop of Hexham ; holy Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne ; and men not less holy as bishops in other churches. When the kings of England fell into disputes he so affected them by the authority which he enjoyed among them all, that they cast away their arms, and bound themselves together in the bond of a lasting peace. He ministered in holiness to the Church committed unto him for the space of twenty-two years, and helped to bring its diverse elements into an ecclesiastical unity which afterwards became the means of civic unity between the various kingdoms in which England was at first divided. At the age of eighty-six he went to be forever with the Lord, namely, in 690, upon September 19th, and was buried with his predecessors in the Abbey Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury.
Collect:
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Theodore, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
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