Saint Jerome (Stom)

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Saint Jerome (Latin: Hieronymus; c. 347 – 30 September 420) was a Christian priest, theologian, and historian, who became a Doctor of the Church. He is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the translation known as the Vulgate), and his commentaries on the Gospels. His list of writings is extensive.

Life

Jerome was born in Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus in Stridon, around 347 AD. The exact location of Stridon is disputed, but it is believed to have been near the modern border between Croatia and Slovenia. He was not baptized until he went to Rome for his education, where he became interested in Christianity. After his baptism, Jerome traveled extensively, visiting important Christian sites in Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and the desert of Chalcis.

His time in the desert was particularly formative; he lived as a hermit for several years, which deepened his commitment to the ascetic life and the study of the Bible. After his desert period, Jerome settled in Rome, where he became secretary to Pope Damasus I. It was during this time that he began his work on the Vulgate.

Works

Jerome's most significant contribution to Christianity is the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. Before Jerome, many translations of the Bible existed in Latin, but these were often inconsistent and of varying quality. Jerome's translation became the standard Latin Bible for the Western Christian world for centuries.

In addition to the Vulgate, Jerome wrote extensively, including commentaries on the Bible, polemical works against various heresies, and letters on a wide range of topics. His letters provide valuable insight into Christian thought and practices during the late 4th and early 5th centuries.

Legacy

Saint Jerome's contributions to Christianity were profound. His translation of the Bible into Latin made the scriptures more accessible to the Western Church, and his commentaries on the Bible have been influential in Christian thought. Jerome is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion. His feast day is celebrated on 30 September.

Jerome is also remembered for his teachings on Christian asceticism, his devotion to the study of the Bible, and his advocacy for the use of Hebrew texts in biblical scholarship. His work laid the foundation for much of Western Christian thought and scholarship.

Death

Saint Jerome died on 30 September 420 in Bethlehem. His remains are interred in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.