Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis, AD 354-430, was Bishop of Hippo Regius. He was a philosopher and theologian from Roman Africa. St. Jerome, his contemporary, said: "He established anew the ancient Faith," and scholars have since recognized him as the most important figure in how the tenets of the Church are taught. He stands as a powerful advocate for orthodoxy and the bishops, seeing in them the means for dispensing saving grace, and serves as a bridge between the ancient and medieval worlds. St. Augustine said: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."