MELLITO, saint. - Born in the second half of the 6th century, died on 24 April 624. Of noble origin, he was a monk and abbot in Rome, probably of the monastery of S. Andrea ad clivum Scanri.
In 601 M. was placed by s. Gregorio Magno at the head of a group of monks and sent to Britain to preach the Gospel to the East Saxons; he established his residence in London and was consecrated bishop of that city by s. Agostino di Canterbury.
Around 616, after the death of King Seberto, he was expelled by the latter’s sons and compelled to take refuge in Gaul. Having returned to England, in February 619 he succeeded Lorenzo in the see of Canterbury, where he consecrated a church to the Virgin in the monastery of SS. Pietro e Paolo. He was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. Feast day, 24 April.