St. Jerome | |
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Saint Jerome in the Wilderness by Bernardino Pinturicchio
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Hermit and Doctor of the Church | |
Born | c. 347 Stridon (possibly Strido Dalmatiae, on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia) |
Died | 26 September 420 (aged c. 73) Bethlehem, Palaestina Prima |
Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion Lutheranism Oriental Orthodoxy |
Major shrine | Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, Italy |
Feast | 26 September (Western Christianity) 15 June (Eastern Christianity) |
Attributes | lion, cardinal attire, cross, skull, trumpet, owl, books and writing material |
Patronage | archeologists; archivists; Bible scholars; librarians; libraries; school children; students; translators |
Major works |
The Vulgate De viris illustribus Chronicon |
Jerome (/dʒəˈroʊm/; Latin: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; Greek: Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; c. 347 – 30 September 420) was a priest, confessor, theologian and historian. He was the son of Eusebius, born at Stridon, a village near Emona on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia, then part of northeastern Italy. He is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate), and his commentaries on the Gospels. His list of writings is extensive.
The protégé of Pope Damasus I, who died in December of 384, Jerome was known for his teachings on Christian moral life, especially to those living in cosmopolitan centers such as Rome. In many cases, he focused his attention to the lives of women and identified how a woman devoted to Jesus should live her life. This focus stemmed from his close patron relationships with several prominent female ascetics who were members of affluent senatorial families.
He is recognised as a Saint and Doctor of the Church by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion. His feast day is 30 September.