St. Augustine and his companions entered Canterbury
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St. Augustine and his companions (according to Bede they were 40 in number
including Frankish interpreters), probably followed the Roman road from
Richborough to Canterbury, approached the city in accordance with their
custom carrying the Holy Cross and the image Christ. They sang this litany
according to Bede:
'We beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy great mercy,
that Thy wrath and anger may be turned away from this city and from Thy holy
house, for we have sinned. Alleluia'.
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There were many recent discussion about this litany. Some scholar suggested
that Augustine learned the version of this litany when he was in Gaul, as
it was common in the Gaulish service. This belonge to Rogation Day in the
Gaulish sacramentaries which was not established in Rome at that time.
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As soon as they had entered the dwelling-place allotted to them which according
to Bede was on the east of Canterbury, probably not far from
St. Martin church, Thorne mentioned the place
as Dorobernia, which is now part of St.
Alphage Parish in Canterbury. Thomas Elmham called the pace Stabelgate.
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They organized themselves in the monastic life according the the rules
(Benedictine), and most probably worshiped at St. Martin.
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They also engaged in preaching. It seemed that they have achived some modest
success in the early days by baptizing new converts.
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Ghazwan Butrous. Last Update:
23 May 1997