When Pope Vitalian offered Adrian the prestigious position of Archbishop of Canterbury, Adrian humbly declined, believing himself unworthy. Instead, he recommended his friend Theodore of Tarsus. The Pope agreed on the condition that Adrian accompany Theodore to England as his chief advisor.
Upon arriving in England, Adrian was appointed Abbot of the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul (later St. Augustine’s Abbey) in Canterbury. Over 39 years, he transformed the abbey into a premier European center of learning. He taught Scripture, Roman law, astronomy, and classical languages, educating a generation of scholars and future bishops who strengthened the English Church, remaining there until his death c.710.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers of thy holy Abbot, blessed Adrian, may commend us unto thee: that we, who have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, may by his advocacy find favour in thy sight; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.