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Birinus was sent to Britian at the direction of Pope Honorius about the year 634, having undertaken to ‘sow the seeds of our holy faith in the most inland and remote regions of the English where no other teacher had been before him’. For this ministry he was ordained bishop in Genoa, Italy.

Despite his mission to enter deep into Britain when Birinus reached Britain and entered the territory of the Gewisse, the West Saxon tribe, based in the upper Thames region, around Dorchester on Thames. Discovering the Gewisse to be entirely heathen, he concluded it would be better to begin to preach the word of God to these people rather than to travel on to find more distant peoples. He dedicated himself to the evangelisation of the people. When he had won their king for Christ he baptised him and his people.

​Birinus was granted the town of Dorchester-on-Thames for his episcopal see, and there he built several churches and brought many people to God. There too, around the year 650 he died and was buried in Dorchester Abbey, though later his body was taken to Winchester and enshrined in its cathedral.

Saint Birinus' Feast Day is kept on the 5th December. 

God of love and mercy,
the preaching and example of Birinus
led many to the peace and unity of the Church,
May his intercession continue
to provide these gifts for your people.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Dorchester Abbey welcomes pilgrims. Its website provides much information about the history of the church - including a video guide - especially helpful for those who are not able to visit this beautiful and ancient church.
  • The local Catholic church, dedicated to St Birinus is just a short walk from the Abbey.
  • Dorchester Abbey hosts a regular arts festival . The programme for the 2026 Festival is here. Sign up here for details of the 2027 Festival.   
  • The St Birinus Festival of Sacred Music is held each year. Details of the 2026 programme are available here. The 2027 Festival is scheduled for 8th - 11th July 2027. To receive details register your interest at the bottom of their webpage..  



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Photographs of Dorchester Abbey  (c) 2026, Allen Morris.