Adrian (d. 710), who had been born in Africa, rose to the position of abbot of Nerida, near Naples, Italy. After the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope St. Vitalian wanted Adrian to become archbishop, but he said no. He said that St. Theodore should become archbishop, and Adrian agreed to be Theodore’s assistant and adviser. Theodore made Adrian abbot of the monastery of SS Peter and Paul in Canterbury, where he taught languages and set an example of a holy life. Adrian’s reputation as a man of God and as a teacher attracted some of the finest students from the European continent. We honor him on Jan. 9.