When they landed in the country of Kent, King Ethelbert received them under an oak, for fear they might use spells and magic, which were held to be powerless in the open air. Being convinced of their good intentions, the king gave them some land at Canterbury and permission to preach wherever they wanted to. Thousands of people embraced the Christian faith, and the king himself was baptized at Pentecost in 597.

Credits: PA; Author: PA;

The missionaries were in constant contact with the Pope and followed his advice that he who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps. They did not destroy the pagan temples but consecrated them for Christian worship. Local customs were to be retained as far as possible, and the pagan festivals were to be replaced with the feasts of the saints. St. Augustine built a Canterbury church and a monastery dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, and established new dioceses throughout the country. He died in 605, and since then is venerated as the Apostle of England.