The Church honors the memory of Saint Jerome (Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus), who was contemporary with St. Augustine.
Saint Jerome was born around 345 AD in the village of Stridon, Dalmatia. His parents were virtuous Christians, who, in order to offer him the best possible education, sent him to Rome. There he was baptized, but as a restless young man, he quickly forgot his morals and soon fell into corruption.
After Rome he visited several countries ending up in the East. In 373 AD he arrived in Antioch to continue his studies. After all these youthful deviations, he retired to the desert of Chalkis (Syria) and lived an ascetic life.
Disappointed by the hypocritical monks, he went to Constantinople, where he met Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa (brother of Saint Basil the Great) and from there he returned to Rome.
Saint Jerome passed away on September 30, 420 AD in Bethlehem. His remains, originally buried in Bethlehem, were transferred to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome.
By Bishop Gregory of Mesaoria
