[celt-saints] 20 August
Celtic and Old English Saints 20 August =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Oswin of Deira * St. Edbert of York =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= St. Oswin , King and Martyr of Deira, Northumbria -- Died at Gilling, Yorkshire, England, on August 20, 651; feast of his translation on March 11 is kept at Durham, Saint Albans, and Tynemouth. When his father, King Osric of Deira (roughly the county of Yorkshire), was killed by the pagan Welsh King Cadwallon in 633, he was taken to Wessex for safety, baptized, and educated there by Saint Aidan (f.d. August 31). When his cousin Saint Oswald (f.d. August 9) was killed in battle against King Penda of Mercia in 642, Oswin became king of Deira, which Oswald had united to Bernicia, and his cousin Oswy (Oswiu) became king of Bernicia. Saint Bede (f.d. May 25) tells us that Oswin was "handsome in appearance and of great stature, pleasant in speech and courteous in manner. He was generous to high and low alike and soon won the affection of all by his kingly qualities of mind and body so that even men of very high birth came from nearly every province to his service. . . . and among his other qualities of virtue and moderation the greatest was humility." Oswin had reigned successfully for about nine years, when Oswy declared war on him. Rather than precipitate a bloody battle when he realised that his army was vastly outnumbered, Oswin went into hiding with one trusted soldier at the estate of his best friend, Earl Hunwald, at Gilling near Richmond, York. Hunwald betrayed him and he was murdered at Gilling, Yorkshire, by Ethelwin on orders from Oswy. Oswin, buried at Tynemouth, has been venerated as a martyr since his death, because he died, "if not for the faith of Christ, at least for the justice of Christ," as a 12th-century preacher explained. In expiation for his crime, Oswy built a monastery at Gilling, but Oswin's relics remained at Tynemouth. Later the church was subject to the Viking raids and Oswin's tomb was forgotten until it was found in 1065. At that time the relics were translated. (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopaedia, Farmer). Troparion of St Oswin tone 1 Courtesy and humility shone from thee,/ O radiant Martyr Oswin./ Trained by Saint Aidan as a Christian ruler,/ thou didst illumine northern Britain./ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all. Icon of St. Oswin http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/images/a-357.jpg Homesite for icons http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/mounted.htm St. Edbert of York, King and Martyr of Northumbria -- Died 768. King Saint Edbert succeeded Saint Ceolwulph (f.d. January 15) in Northumbria. After reigning successfully for 20 years he abdicated and retired to York abbey, where he spent his last ten years in prayer (Benedictines). Sources: Attwater, D. (1983). The penguin dictionary of saints, NY: Penguin Books. Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine Abbey, Ramsgate. (1947). The book of saints: A dictionary of servants of God canonized by the Catholic Church extracted from the Roman and other martyrologies. NY: Macmillan. Delaney, J. J. (1983). Pocket dictionary of saints, NY: Doubleday Image. Encyclopaedia of Catholic saints, August. (1966). Philadelphia: Chilton Books. Farmer, D. H. (1997). The Oxford dictionary of saints. Oxford: Oxford University Press. For All the Saints: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm Orthodox Ireland Saints http://www.orthodoxireland.com/saints/ These Lives are archived at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints *
[celt-saints] 21 August
Celtic and Old English Saints 21 August =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Moghtewe, Abbot in Ireland * St. Hardulf of Breedon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= St. Hardulf of Breedon, Leicestershire, England Holy Hill of Breedon One of the few remaining landmarks of the vanished kingdom of Mercia is this hilltop site in north west Leicestershire. Though only about 180 feet higher than the surrounding countryside, the limestone outcrop is visible for several miles around. A Saxon monastery once sat atop the hill, founded around 675 after the kingdom's conversion from paganism, and mentioned by Bede as "Brindun". The church there today has an odd dedication - to St. Mary and St. Hardulf. St. Hardulf is a somewhat mysterious figure. A text of 1541 refers to "St. Hardulche in a place named Bredon" and tells of his life in a cell carved into a cliff. Earlier, Hugh Candidus, a 12th century chronicler, wrote that buried at Breedon lay "Sanctus Aerdulfus Rex". Was Breedon the resting place of a sanctified minor member of the Mercian royal family? http://www.penda.org.uk/breedon.htm These Lives are archived at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints *
[celt-saints] 22 August
Celtic and Old English Saints 22 August =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Sigfrid of Wearmouth * St. Andrew of Ireland * St. Arnulf of Eynesbury * St. Ethelgitha of Northumbria * St. Maelrubha of Applecross =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= St. Sigfrid, Abbot of Wearmouth - Died on August 22, 688. Nothing is known about the early life of Saint Sigfrid, a disciple of Saint Benedict Biscop (f.d. January 12). He was known for his knowledge of Scripture, his temperance, and obedience. During Benedict's absence on his fifth visit to Rome, Saint Esterwine (f.d. March 7) died. Saint Ceolfrid (f.d. September 25) and the other monks elected the deacon-monk Sigfrid to take Esterwine's place as coadjutor abbot of Jarrow and abbot of Wearmouth in 686. Both saints fell deathly ill upon Benedict's return to Jarrow. Knowing that their earthly lives were about to end and wanting a final meeting to inquire about the welfare of each other and their monks, Sigfrid, suffering from a lung disease, was carried on a stretcher to Benedict's cell. They were both too weak to even embrace one another unaided. After consulting Sigfrid, Benedict sent for Ceolfrid and appointed him abbot over both monasteries. Benedict and Sigfrid, of one heart in life, died the same year. Sigfrid was buried by Saint Ceolfrid in the abbey-church of Saint Peter next to his master, Saint Benedict, and his predecessor, Saint Esterwine. Saint Bede (f.d. May 25) testifies to the date of his death and the development of a cultus at Wearmouth and Jarrow (Benedictines, Encyclopaedia, Farmer, Walsh). St. Andrew of Ireland (of Tuscany) (of Fiesole), Abbot - Born in Ireland or Scotland; died at Fiesole, Tuscany, Italy, c.880. The story of St. Andrew is hard to determine with certitude. Some say that he was a pilgrim who became the abbot-restorer of San Martino Abbey in Mensula. Beyond that all we have is embellished legend. He is reputed to be an Irish travelling companion of Bishop Saint Donatus of Fiesole (f.d. October 22), who later became the bishop's archdeacon. Donatus was one of the many Irishmen who journeyed on the continent in the early Middle Ages. Nevertheless, Saint Andrew is included on the calendar, and has several churches dedicated to him (Attwater, Benedictines, Husenbeth, Montague). Generally, he is portrayed as a deacon curing a paralytic girl. Sometimes he is shown (1) appearing to a sleeping priest; (2) with his sister St. Brigid miraculously transported to his death-bed by angels; or (3) with an Irish wolfhound at his feet (Roeder). He is venerated in the environs of Florence: Fiesole, Settignano, San Martino e Mensola (Roeder). St. Arnulf of Eynesbury, Hermit - 9th century. Saint Arnulf's relics were venerated in Arnulphsbury (Eanulfesbyrig or Eynesbury), Huntingdonshire, before the Danish invasions. He seems to have been forgotten by about 1000 AD, because "On the resting-places of the saints" mentions Saint Neot (f.d. July 31) but not Arnulf. He is described as an English hermit of the area, but he may well be a duplicate of Saint Arnulf of Metz (f.d. July 18), which would explain why he was forgotten (Benedictines, Farmer). St. Ethelgitha of Northumbria, Abbess - Died c. 720. Saint Ethelgitha was a holy abbess of a convent in Northumbria, England (Benedictines). St. Maelrubha (+722), Abbot of Applecross, Isle of Skye, Scotland - His main feastday is April 21 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints/message/1525 Sources: Attwater, D. (1983). The Penguin Dictionary of Saints, NY: Penguin Books. Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine Abbey, Ramsgate. (1947). The Book of Saints. NY: Macmillan. Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine Abbey, Ramsgate. (1966). The Book of Saints. NY: Thomas Y. Crowell. Bentley, J. (1986). A Calendar of Saints: The Lives of the Principal Saints of the Christian Year, NY: Facts on File. Delaney, J. J. (1983). Pocket Dictionary of Saints, NY: Doubleday Image. Doble, G. H. (1931). Saint Symphorian. Encyclopedia of Catholic Saints, August. (1966). Philadelphia: Chilton Books. Farmer, D. H. (1997). The Oxford Dictionary of Saints. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Husenbeth, Rev. F. C., DD, VG (ed.). (1928). Butler's Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints. London: Virtue & Co. Montague, H. P. (1981). The Saints and Martyrs of Ireland. Guildford: Billing & Sons. Roeder, H. (1956). Saints and their Attributes, Chicago: Henry Regnery. Walsh, M. (ed.). (1985). Butler's Lives of the Saints. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Lives kindly supplied by: For All the Saints: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm These Lives are archi
[celt-saints] 23 August
Celtic and Old English Saints 23 August =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Tydfil of Glamorgan * St. Eugene of Tyrone =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= St. Tydfil of Glamorgan, Martyr Died c. 480. Saint Tydfil, one of the daughters of the prolific Saint Brychan of Brecknock (f.d. April 6). She is venerated at Merthyr-Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales, where she was killed by pagans (possibly either the marauding Picts or Saxons) and buried (Benedictines, Farmer). St. Eugene, Bishop of Tyrone (Eogain, Eoghan, Euny, Owen) Born in Leinster, Ireland; died 618 (or 570). Saint Eugene is another of the many Irishmen who laboured in the mission fields of England and the Continent. Thereafter he returned to Ireland, where he became the first bishop of Ardfrath (Ardstraw), on the river Derg in Tyrone, which is now the see of Derry. The rest of what we know derives from unreliable sources. These say that Eugene was an excellent and assiduous preacher, born of the royal blood of Leinster and related to Saint Kevin (f.d. June 3). They report that, like Saint Patrick in reverse, he was kidnapped as a child and taken into slavery in Britain and then removed to Brittany with Saint Tigernach (f.d. April 4) and Coirpre (who later became bishop of Coleraine). Eventually they were manumitted by their master and all returned to Ireland. He then spent 15 years with Saint Kevin at Kilnamanacg, helped Tigernach found Clones Monastery about 576, and then was consecrated bishop c. 581. He was buried in his own churchyard, over whose sepulchre a chapel was afterward built. He is the patron of the diocese of Derry (Benedictines, Delaney, Husenbeth, Montague). Troparion of St Eogan tone 4 O great traveller Eogan who didst traverse Christian Europe in thy zeal for Christ,/ trained by Saint Ninian thou wast a wise teacher of the Faith./ Glory to God Who has glorified thee. Some miracles from the Life of St Eugene: While St. Tigernach and St. Eugene were sojourning at the Little Wood, when the latter was about to depart for Ardstraw, they both took a ramble towards a small eminence, where sitting down they entered on a course of pious conversation. Then having separated, a minister of Eugene recollected that he had left behind a small vessel, from which it was his custom to sprinkle infirm persons with holy water. The next day, Eugene and his minister returned to that same place, when to their great surprise, a fox was found dead, with the vessel belonging to Eugene near him, and which he had attempted to gnaw. It was perfectly preserved, however, owing to the saint's merits. Even a thong of leather attached was found uninjured between the animal's teeth. Another time, when both of those holy prelates were on a customary visitation of a small nunnery, they found the minister of the Abbess Mossera and of her nuns dead. However, St. Tigernach desired Eugene to place his baculus on the body of the deceased. A great miracle followed, when that servant came to life, and he was restored to his former state of health. In the monastery at Ardstraw, Eogan led a most holy life, being distinguished for his miracles and for a spirit of prophecy. Instances of the latter gift are furnished, in the case of a wicked Gentile prince, named Amalgid, who had ordered a spear having five points on it to be made, and with this he resolved on immolating innocent victims, in accordance with some pagan custom or superstition, which held possession of his mind. On hearing about such intent, the charitable Abbot went to him, entreating that he should not put it into execution ; nevertheless, the cruel tyrant would not be diverted from his purpose. The saint declared, that should he do so, on the third day after the evil deed had been committed, the prince himself must die pierced by that same spear. Such prediction was accordingly fulfilled. Various of his miracles are related in the old Acts ; but, as some of those marvels are of a legendary character, they may be passed over as not worthy of being here recorded. It is told, that in a certain town named Lettach,one hundred persons of both sexes had been surrounded by pirates; but, having sent word to the holy man, that they were likely to be captured or in danger of perishing, he passed unnoticed through the enemy's camp, and having baptized them, all were brought away unseen by the pirates and were thus saved. Again, it is stated, that while Eugene was travelling through a great wood, which stretched for sixty thousand paces along the River Bann, he met a miserable pauper, who was a leper, on the way. As a charity, he bestowed the two chariot horses he used on that poor mendicant. Such self-sacrificing act was made known by a revelation to St. Corpre, Bishop of Coleraine, who sent two other horses to supply the place of t
