Jerome of Stridon

Jerome, the church father, was born in Stridon, Dalmatia (modern day Slovenia/Croatia) in 347. He studied at Rome, and was baptised in 370 (aged approx. 23).

In 372, Jerome set out on a journey through the Middle East, eventually settling in the Syrian desert in 374, where he learnt the Hebrew language - virtually no one else in the church knew Hebrew at the time.

In 379, Jerome was ordained as presbyter at Antioch, and shortly thereafter he studied theology under Gregory of Naziazus at Constantinople.

In 382, Jerome relocated from Constantinople to Rome, where bishop Damasus commissioned him to produce a new Latin translation of the Bible. This project, producing a fresh translation of the Bible into Latin from the original languages, took a whole 23 years, and what is known as the Vulgate (Jerome's translation of the Bible into Latin) was completed in 405. It is for this work of translation that Jerome is known as "patron saint of translators".

While at Rome 382-384, Jerome recruited many men and particularly women for the monastic movement. One of his most prominent recruits was Paula, a descendant of noble Roman heritage who served alongside him for many years to come until her death in 404.

From 386, Jerome was based at a monastery near Bethlehem, and this is where he remained until his death in 420. During this long period, Jerome wrote, taught monks, opened a school for children, and took part in many controversies.

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