Today is the feast day of the patron saint of printers, Saint Augustine, who lived from13 November 354 to 28 August 430. Saint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher whose writings profoundly influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity. He was one of the most important theological writers of the 4th and 5th centuries; his many important works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions.
After his conversion to Christianity and baptism in 386, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology. Believing the grace of Christ was indispensable to human freedom, he helped formulate the doctrine of original sin and made significant contributions to the development of just war theory.
Augustine is recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran churches, and the Anglican Communion. Augustine is the patron saint of printers, brewers, theologians, and a number of cities and dioceses. His thoughts and writings deeply influenced the medieval worldview. He is considered one of the theological fathers of the Protestant Reformation due to his teachings on salvation and divine grace.
