Jerome
Jerome (/dʒəˈroʊm/; Latin: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; Greek: Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; c. 342–347 – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was an early Christian priest, confessor, theologian, translator, and historian; he is commonly known as Saint Jerome.
Saint Jerome | |
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St. Jerome in His Study by Albrecht Dürer, 1521 | |
| Doctor of the Church | |
| Born | c. 342–347 Stridon (possibly Strido Dalmatiae, on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia) |
| Died | 30 September 420 (aged approximately 73–78) Bethlehem, Palaestina Prima |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodox Church Anglican Communion Lutheranism |
| Major shrine | Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, Italy |
| Feast | 30 September (Catholic Church) 15 June (Eastern Orthodox Church) |
| Attributes | Lion, cardinal attire, cross, skull, trumpet, owl, books and writing material |
| Patronage | Archaeologists; archivists; Bible scholars; librarians; libraries; school children; students; translators; Morong, Rizal; Dalmatia, against anger |
| Influences | Paula of Rome, Plato, Vergil, Cicero, Isocrates, Philo, Seneca the younger, Eusebius, Paul the Apostle, Ezra the scribe, Onkelos, Origen, Sallust, Demosthenes, Xenophon, Josephus, Varro, Cato the elder, Gregory of Nazianzus, Horace |
| Influenced | Virtually all of subsequent Christian theology, including Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant |
Theology career | |
| Education | Catechetical School of Alexandria |
| Occupation(s) | Translator, theologian |
| Notable work | Vulgate De viris illustribus Chronicon |
| Theological work | |
| Era | Patristic Age |
| Language | Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Illyrian |
| Tradition or movement | Trinitarianism |
| Main interests | Apologetics, Alchemy, Theology, Christian mysticism |
| Notable ideas | Perpetual virginity of Mary |
| Part of a series on |
| Catholic philosophy |
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He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate) and his commentaries on the whole Bible. Jerome attempted to create a translation of the Old Testament based on a Hebrew version, rather than the Septuagint, as prior Latin Bible translations used. His list of writings is extensive. In addition to his biblical works he wrote polemical and historical essays, always from a theologian's perspective.
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 on 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.
Due to his work, Jerome is recognized as a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Roman Catholic Church, and as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion. His feast day is 30 September (Gregorian calendar).