Celtic and Old English Saints 5 December =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Justinian of Wales * St. Cawrdaf of Wales =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
St. Justinian (Jestin, Stinan) of South Wales, Martyr ------------------------------------------------------- Born in Brittany; died in Wales; 6th century. The nobly-born Saint Justinian was ordained a priest, then migrated from his homeland to become a hermit on the Isle of Ramsey off the coast of Dyfed in southern Wales. He joined forces with another devout recluse named Honorius, who lived there with his sister and her maid. Saint David was so impressed with Justinian's reputation for holiness that he invited him to pay a visit and later gave him houses on the island and mainland. The 12th-century Saint David's manuscript tells us that long after, some sailors told Justinian that David was ill and offered to take today's saint to visit him again. Once they were at sea, Justinian realised that they were demons and recited Psalm 79. When he reached the appropriate phrase, they "flew away like black crows." Upon landing safely, Justinian found David in perfect health. The devils tried again: They attacked him through his three servants. When Justinian urged them to industry, they were enraged, dashed him to the ground, and beheaded him. A miraculous spring with healing properties welled up at the place where his head had landed. The evildoers were afflicted with leprosy and forced to live in isolation on a crag known as "the Lepers rock." Like Saint Denis (f.d. October 9), Justinian carried his severed head to the site where he wished to be buried. A church was later constructed over the spot. After many miracles occurred there, Saint David translated the body to a new tomb in his own church. Justinian has been consistently venerated as a martyr in Welsh calendars. The church of Llanstinan (near Fishguard) is dedicated to him (Benedictines, Farmer). The Shrine of Saint David and Saint Justinian http://www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk/shrine.htm The modern reliquary is behind the seats of those attending services in a pretty chapel dedicated to The Trinity. http://web.archive.org/web/20070107194314/http://www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk/trinity.htm St.Cawrdaf of Wales ------------------------------------------------------- Died c. 560. The son and successor of Caradog, chieftain of Brecknock and Hereford, Saint Cawrdaf ended life as a monk under Saint Illtyd (f.d. November 6) (Benedictines). Troparion of St Cawrdaf tone 8 O Father Cawrdaf, spurning the transitory glory of temporal power,/ thou didst flee from the world to serve God in monastic seclusion./ Wherefore, O righteous one, pray that we, following thy example by serving God rather than self,/ may be found worthy of eternal salvation. ******************************** Suppliers of Icons of Celtic Saints for the church or the prayer corner at home. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints/message/2875 ********************************* Icons of Western Saints http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/icons/Western.html Calendar of Celtic and Old English Saints http://web.archive.org/web/20040810020519/www.orthodoxireland.com/saints/calendarofsaints Tiny Url: http://tinyurl.com/5kt36e For All the Saints: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm These Lives are archived at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
