1326 January: Andrew of Perugia (安德茹)
Sent to China by Pope Clement V
Andrew of Perugia (?–1332) was a Franciscan friar born in Italy. In 1307, Andrew of Perugia and six other Franciscan bishops were sent to China by Pope Clement V, to act as suffragans to consecrate John of Montecorvino (蒙特考维诺的约翰, 1247–1328), then Archbishop of Beijing.
The following year, only three arrived safely — Gerardus, Peregrinus and Andrew of Perugia. In 1322, Andrew of Perugia was nominated Bishop of Quanzhou by John of Montecorvino.
Quanzhou was called Zaytun (刺桐), origin of the word satin
Quanzhou (泉州), located in the southeast of Fujian Province, was an important port along the Marine Silk Road during the Middle Ages. Marco Polo referred to it as Zaytun. The city was known for the production and distribution of satin textiles. Some believe the word satin in English was derived from the Chinese word Zaytun. Jewish presence there dated back to the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, 1279–1369).
Unable to convert Jews to Christianity
Andrew of Perugia wrote a letter in January 1326 to the Convent of Perugia, complaining about shortcomings in the conversion of Jews to Christians in Quanzhou. “We are able to preach freely and unmolested, but of the Jews and Saracens none is converted,” he wrote.
In 1332, Andrew of Perugia passed away in Quanzhou. In 1946, his tombstone was discovered and transferred to Beijing, with a replica left in the Quanzhou Maritime Museum.