Orthodox Saints of Britain – Church of St Nektarios Commission
Orthodox Saints of Anglo-Saxon England with short hagiography(life)
1. Christ in Glory
2. Holy Mother of God
3. St John the Baptist
4. Archangel Gabriel
5. Archangel Michael
6, St Apostle Peter
7. St. Apostle Paul
8. St. Apostle Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland (1. century) St. Andrew was one of the original Twelve Apostles and a brother of St. Peter, both former fisherman called to follow Christ. He is the patron saint of Scotland as well as Greece. In early Byzantine tradition, he is known as “first called.” St. Andrew is reputed to travelled with St. John the Evangelist to Ephesus and later preached in Scythia. He is said to have been crucified on an X-shaped Cross at Patras in Archaia. Several legends state that the relics of Andrew were brought by divine guidance from Constantinople to the place where the modern town of St Andrews stands today. Saltire(white diagonal cross on a blue background that represents the crucifixion of the apostle St Andrew) became the national flag of Scotland in 1385. His feast day is celebrated on 30th November.
9. St. Apostle Aristobulus of Seventy, first Bishop of Britain (1. century) The Holy Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy was born on Cyprus. He and his brother, the holy Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, accompanied the holy Apostle Paul on his journeys. St Aristobulus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:10). St Paul made Aristobulus a bishop and sent him to preach the Gospel in Britain. Whilst on his way to Britain he preached the Gospel to the Celts of Northern Spain. His feast days are celebrated on March 16, on October 31 and on January 4 on the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles
10. St. German, Bishop of the Isle of Man (+ c 474.) By tradition a nephew of St Patrick(No 81) and a monk in Ireland, Wales and Brittany. Eventually he went to the Isle of Man as a bishop. His memory is still kept here in several place-names in the forms ‘Germain’ and ‘Jarman’ His feast day is celebrated on July 3
11. St. Columba, Founder and Abbot of Iona (c 521-597) Also known as Columcille, (meaning ‘Dove of the Church’) is one of the best-known spiritual giants of the Celtic Church. Born in Donegal, to noble Irish parents.,he became a monk at Glasnevin and was educated by St. Finian (No 35). He was ordained priest and spent many years teaching and preaching. According to tradition, sometime around 560, he became involved in a dispute over the right to copy an edition of the Psalter The dispute eventually led to the Battle of Cul Dremhe in 561, during which many men were killed. As a penance for these deaths, Columba was ordered to make the same number of new converts as had been killed in the battle. He was also ordered to leave Ireland and move such that he could not see his native country. In 563 he founded a monastery on the island of Iona (Holy Island) off the west coast of Scotland which became the centre of his evangelising mission to Scotland. A poet and an artist who did illumination — perhaps some of those in the Book of Kells itself—his skill as a scribe can be seen in the Cathach of Columba at the Irish Academy in Dublin. His feast day is celebrated on June 9
12. St. Faibhe, Abbot of Iona (+ c 680)
He came from Ireland and was the brother of St Finan (No 35.) His feast day is celebrated on March 22
13. St. Cumine,(the White)Abbot of Iona (+ c 669) Born in Ireland, he became Abbot of Iona and wrote a life of St Columba (No 11) His feast day is celebrated on February 24 or October 6
14.St. Ronan (the Silent) of Locronan (6. century) Irish Celtic bishop who preached in Cornwall and in Brittany, and eponymous founder of Locronan. He is venerated particularly in the village of Locronan in Brittany (France), which is named after him, and which has his relics. His feast day is celebrated on June 1.
15. St. Flannan of the Clare (7. century) First Bishop of Clare (Killaloe) in Ireland, he also worked in the Hebrides, (Scotland) and elsewhere. He managed to recite the whole Psalter every day. His feast day is celebrated on December 18
16. St Donnan of the Isle of Eigg (martyred with companions) (c + 618.) St Donnan was a monk at Iona with St Columba (No 11) and founded a monastery on the Island of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. He and his fifty-two monks were massacred by heathen raiders on Easter Sunday 618. His feast day is celebrated on April 17
17. St. Nathalan, Bishop of Aberden (+ c 678.) Born of a wealthy family in Scotland, he became a hermit and was praised for earning his living by tilling the soil, ‘which comes closest to divine contemplation’. He became a bishop and lived in Tullicht. His feast day is celebrated on January 19
18. St, Servan, Bishop & Apostle of the Orkney Islands (6th century.) The Apostle of the Orkney Islands in Scotland . He became Abbot of Culross where he educated St. Kentigern Mungo.(No 27). He reposed at Culross where he was buried. His feast day is celebrated on July 1
19. St. Eochod, Apostle of the Picts of Galloway (+ c 597.) One of St Columba’s (No 11) twelve companions, he was chosen to enlighten the Picts in Scotland. His feast day is celebrated on January 25
20. St. Theneva (6. century) co-patron-saint of Glasgow St. Theneva was born to British Prince Lothus. When it was discovered that she had conceived out of wedlock, she was thrown from a cliff. Unharmed at the bottom, she was then set adrift in a boat. It was expected that she would die at sea, but God protected her. Theneva’s boat landed at Culross, where she was sheltered by St. Serf and gave birth to St. Kentigern (No 27), named Mongo (“darling”) by his foster-father. St. Kentigern remained with St. Serf until he reached manhood. St. Theneva is the co-patron, along with her son, of Glasgow, Scotland. Her feast day is celebrated on July 18
21. St. Boisil, Abbot of Melrose Abbey, Scotland (+c 664) St. Boisil’s fame is mainly due to his connection with his great pupil, St. Cuthbert (No 32). The master was worthy of the disciple, and he himself was a disciple of Saint Aidan (No 33). Contemporaries were deeply impressed with Boisil’s supernatural intuitions. His feast day is celebrated on 7th July,
22. St. Balgred of Bass Rock (+c 756.) A priest in Lindisfarne in England, he became a hermit at Tyningham on the Scottish border, where he lived on Bass Rock, near North Berwick, surrounded by the sea. His relics were enshrined in Durham, with those of St Bilfrid. His feast day is celebrated on March 6
23. St. Constantine of Cornwall (+ c 576) After a life of vice, this noble of Cornwall came to repentance in Wales and Ireland. He went as a missionary to Scotland, where he was put to death by thieves. In Cornwall, two places are named after him. His feast day is celebrated on March 9
24. St. Machar, Bishop of Old Aberdeen (6. century) Born in Ireland, he was baptised by St Colman and became a disciple of St Columba (No 11) at Iona in Scotland. Later he went with twelve disciples to convert the Picts near Aberdeen. His feast day is celebrated on November 12
25. St. Yrchard, Bishop and Missionary of the Picts (5. cent. ) A priest in Scotland, consecrated bishop by St Ternan (No 26) to work among the Picts. His feast day is celebrated on August 24
26. St. Ternan. Bishop and Founder of Culrose Abbey, Fifershire (5. century) An early missionary bishop among the Picts in Scotland. He is said to have lived in Abernethy and been consecrated by St Palladius. He founded the monastery of Culross in Fifeshire. His feast day is celebrated on June 12
27. St. Kentirgen Mungo, First Bishop of Strathclyde (+ c 612.) The name Mungo means ‘darling‘. He began preaching in Cathures on the Clyde (on the site of the city of Glasgow) and was consecrated first Bishop of the Strathclyde Britons. Driven into exile, he preached around Carlisle and then went to Wales, where he stayed with St David (No 92) at Menevia. Returning to Scotland, he continued his labours, making Glasgow his centre.Since the 1200s the site of this early church has formed part of Glasgow Catedral He is venerated as the Apostle of north-west England and south-west Scotland. His feast day is celebrated on January 13
28. St. Cainnech of Aghaboe (c 516–600) This Gaelic abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary is venerated in Ireland almost as much as St. Patrick and St. Brigid..He preached Christianity across Ireland and to the Picts in Scotland. His feast day is celebrated on October 11
29. St. Maelrhys of Bardsey (6. century). A saint of the Isle of Bardsey in Wales, probably born in Brittany. His feast day is celebrated on January 1
30. St. Edfrith, Bishop of North Umbria (+c 721.),author of the Lindisfarne Gospels Bishop of Lindisfarne in England after St Edbert (No 31), he illuminated the Lindisfarne Gospels in honour of St Cuthbert (No 32) which can now be seen in the British Library. His feast day is celebrated on June 4
31. St. Edbert, King and Bishop of North Umbria (+ 768.)
The successor of St Ceolwulf on the throne of Northumbria in England. After a prosperous reign of twenty years he abdicated and retired to York abbey, where he spent his last ten years in prayer His feast day is celebrated on August 20
32. St. Cuthbert, Wonderworker of England Bishop and Abbot of Lindisfarne (+ c 687.) One of the most famous English saints, the Wonderworker of England until he became a monk at Melrose in Scotland. he was a shepherd boy After the Council of Whitby, he went to Lindisfarne where he became Abbot. In March 685, he was consecrated Bishop of Lindisfarne. After his repose his relics were found to be incorrupt and eventually they were taken to Durham.. His relics are revered in Durham to this day. His feast day is celebrated on March 20
33. St. Aidan, First Bishop of Lindisfarne (+c 651.) An Irish monk at Iona who, at the request of St Oswald, King of Northumbria (No 78), went to enlighten the north of England. He fixed his see at Lindisfarne ((Holy Island of the northast coast of England, important centre of Celtic Christianity) where he ruled as abbot and bishop. His life was illustrated by numberless miracles and was most fruitful, as is witnessed to by the writings of St Bede (No 57). He reposed at Bamburgh. His feast day is celebrated on August 31
34. St. Colman, Third Bishop of Lindisfarne (+c 676.) Born in Connaught in Ireland, he became a monk at Iona in Scotland. He was then chosen as third Abbot of Lindisfarne in England. He later returned to Ireland, founding a monastery on Innisboffin Island for Irish monks and a monastery for English monks (Mayo of the Saxons). His feast day is celebrated on February 18
35. St. Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne and Iona (+c 661) St. Finan was an Irishman, who became a monk at St. Columba’s monastery at Iona, and was renowned for his holy life and discipline. When St, Aidan (No 33) died and the monks of Lindisfarne sent to his old abbey for one to replace him, the choice fell on Finan as a worthy successor. His ten years as Bishop of Northumbria was a more peaceful episcopate that Aidan’s. Finan encouraged King Oswy to found monasteries and churches as tokens of his repentance. The most famous of these was at Streaneshalch on the point above the harbour now known as Whitby, which was to become a great Christian centre.
He received and baptised two further kings of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom, Sigbert of the East Saxons and Peada of Mercia, and established the Faith in them. His feast day is celebrated on February 17
36. St. John Maximovitch of Shanghai & San Francisco , Icon Our father among the saints John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco (1896-1966), was a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad who served widely from China to France to the United States. He was the pioneer in inclusion of Western Christian Saints (before schism) to Orthodox calendar His feast day is celebrated on July 2
37. St. Kennera of Kirkkinner in Scotland (4. century)
An anchoress in Kirk-Kinner in Galloway in Scotland. Her feast day is celebrated on October 29
38. St. Sigfrid, Bishop of Vaxyo, Apostle of Sweden (+ c 1045.) Patron saint of Sweden is an Englishman, St. Sigfrid, who reached Sweden as a result of a call from King Olaf Tryggvason(No 41) of Norway, who had been converted himself by another Englishman, St. Alphege(No 134). Sigfrid was born in Northumberland, become a priest at York or Glastonbury, and was sent by King Ethelred as a missionary to Norway with two other bishops. Sigfrid also laboured in Denmark. The saint became so renowned that the Germans claimed him as their own, insisting that he had been born either in Bremen or Hamburg. He died in old age, and his bones rest beneath the high altar of the cathedral of Vaxjo, and are famous for miracles. Sigfrid was so successful that he is called the Apostle of Sweden, where he is still venerated His feast day is celebrated on February 15
39. St. Benedict of Northumbria (c 628- 690) patron saint of painters and musitians
Born of the highest Anglo-Saxon nobility in Northumbria, he made few pilgrimages to Rome early in life and after the second became a monk at Lérins. After a third journey to Rome, bringing back books and icons, he returned to England and founded the monasterys of Wearmouth and Jarrow He was the first to introduce glass windows into England. He established a great library in his Wearmouth monastery and organised the scriptorium.. St. Benedict’s biography was written by St. Bede(No 57), who had been entrusted to his care at age seven, and whose learning was made possible by the library St. Benedict collected at Jarrow. Bede the historian says that the civilisation and learning of the 8th century rested in the monastery founded by St. Benedict. His feast day is celebrated on January 12
40. St. Columbanos (c 543-615.) Born in Leinster, he became a monk and ascetic at Bangor. In 580 he left Ireland with a group of monks and worked first in England, then in Brittany and finally in France where he founded a very strict monastery at Luxeuil, where he was abbot for twenty-five years. His outspoken protest against the disorders of the Frankish court led to his exile. He ended his days in the north of Italy at Bobbio where he had also founded a monastery. His feast day is celebrated on November 23
41. St. Olaf, Martyr-King of Norway (995-1030.) Son of King Harald of Norway in early youth was a pirate but in 1010 he was baptised in Rouen in France and in 1013 he helped Ethelred of England against the Danes. In 1015 he succeeded to the throne of Norway and at once called missionaries, mainly from England, to enlighten his homeland. He succeeded in part but was driven from his kingdom. In an attempt to recover it, he fell in battle at Stiklestad. In Norway he is regarded as the champion of national independence. His feast day is celebrated on July 29
42. St. Ethelbert, Martyr-King of East Anglia (c+ 794.)
King of East Anglia in England, he was treacherously murdered by Offa of Mercia. He has always been venerated as a martyr, especially in Hereford and in East Anglia. His feast day is celebrated on May 20
43. St. Botholph, founder of Ikanhde monastery (7. century)
Botulf founded a monastery at Iken in Suffolk and was famed for his piety. Over seventy churches were dedicated to St Botulf, including four at the gates of the City of London. His feast day is celebrated on June 17
44. St. Ninian, Bishop of Withorn in Scotland (+c 432).
He established his mission at Whithorn in Wigtownshire in Scotland, so called because the church was built of stone plastered white. There was a monastery attached to it and it was from this centre that Ninian and his monks enlightened the northern Britons and the Picts. His feast day is celebrated on August 26
45. St. Enda, Father of Irish monasticism (+ c 530. ) He was an Irish prince, son of Conall Derg of Oriel (Ergall) in Ulster. The soldier Enda was converted by his sister, St. Fanchea (f.d. January 1), abbess of Kill-Aine.
On Isle of Aran he established the monastery of Killeaney, which is regarded as the first Irish monastery in the strict sense, which became a burning light of sanctity for centuries in Western Europe. Enda’s disciples were a noble band, like St. Finnian (No 35), St. Brendan the Voyager(No 146), St. Columba (No 11)…and many others. His feast day is celebrated on March 21
46. St. Finian of Clonard ,Teacher of the Irish Saints (+ c 549.) Born in in County Carlow (Ireland), he became a monk in Wales. After a long stay there, he returned to Ireland and founded many churches and monasteries. Clonard was the greatest and it was here that St. Finian(No 35) had as disciples many of the so-called ‘Twelve Apostles of Ireland‘, among whom was Columba.(No 11) and St. Cainnec.(No 28) Finian indeed became known as the ‘Teacher of the Irish Saints‘. His feast day is celebrated on December 20
47. St. Felix of Dunwich, First Bishop and Apostle of East Anglia (+c 647)
St Felix (meaning happy or joyful) was born in Burgundy in France. In about 631 he went to Dunwich, or possible Felixstowe, and built his Cathedral, now beneath the sea. He preached with great success in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire (He converted king Anna and his daughters) and is honoured as the Apostle of East Anglia, where several places are named after him and. His feast day is celebrated on March 8
48. St. Bathilda, Queen of France & pioneer in the abolition of slavery. (c + 680) Born in England, she was sold as a slave to the mayor of the palace of the Kingdom of Neustria. In 649 King Clovis II married her and she became the mother of three future kings. After her husband’s death, she was regent of France (656-664). When Clotaire III came of age, she became a nun at the royal abbey of Chelles, near Paris, which she had founded. She made a good queen and ruled wisely and never forgot that she had been a slave, and did all within her power to relieve those in captivity. She declared that any slave who set foot in France would from that moment be free. Her feast day is celebrated on January 30
49. St. John of Beverly, Bishop of York (+c 721.) Born in Harpham in Yorkshire in England he was consecrated Bishop of Hexham and later became Bishop of York. He ordained St Bede (No 57) and founded a monastery at Beverley. St. John trained for the priesthood and monastic life in Kent under the direction of Ss. Adrian(No 122) and Theodore (No 113), but returned to Yorkshire upon completing his studies to become a monk at Whitby Abbey. It is believed that he possessed the gift of healing, His feast day is celebrated on May 7
50. St. Paulinnus, Bishop of York (+ c 644. )
Born in Rome, he was sent to England with Sts Mellitus(f.d. Apr. 24) and Justus(No 145) to help St Augustine (No 121). He spent twenty-four years in Kent and in 625 was consecrated Bishop of York and sent to enlighten Northumbria, where he baptised King Edwin in York.
During the last year’s of Edwin’s reign, there was such peace and order in his dominions that a proverb arose: A woman could carry her new-born baby across the island from sea to sea and suffer no harm (St.Bede(No 57) ). But the peace did not last for long.After the King’s martyrdom, he returned to Kent, where he became Bishop of Rochester. His feast day is celebrated on October 10
51. St. Mel, First Bishop of Ardagh (+ c 490.) By tradition one of the four nephews of St Patrick ( Mel, Melchu, Munis and Rioch), sons of Conis and Darerca, St Patrick’s sister. They accompanied St Patrick to Ireland, St Mel becoming the first Bishop of Ardagh..St. Mel has a strong cultus at Longford, where he was the first abbot-bishop of a richly endowed monastery that flourished for centuries. The cathedral of Longford is dedicated to Mel, as is a college. His feast day is celebrated on February 6
52. St. Attracta ( 5th century)
Tradition tells us that she was born into a noble Irish family. When she was refused permission to enter the convent, she fled to Saint Patrick and received the veil from him at Coolavin. She was a hermit at Killaraght on Lough Gara in Sligo, and later at Drum near Boyle. Convents developed at both locations under her direction. The hospice she founded for travellers at Killaraght endured for a thousand years and was well reputed for its hospitality and charity to the poor. Saint Attracta is venerated throughout Ireland, but especially in the west, both for the lasting foundations she made and for the spectacular miracles attributed to her intercession, especially those of healing. She is the patroness of the Diocese of Achonry and her name is popular among Irish girls Her feast day is celebrated on August 11
53. St Finbar, First Bishop of Cork, and confessor (6. century) Born in Connaught he was the son of an artisan and a lady of the Irish royal court.The right name of saint, under which he was baptized, was Lochan and the surname Finbar.He was educated at Kilmacahil, Kilkenny, where the monks named him Fionnbharr (white head) because of his light hair. He preached in Scotland and southern Ireland, and lived as a hermit on a small island at Lough Eiroe, and then, on the river Lee, founded a monastery that developed into the city of Cork, of which he was the first bishop. His monastery became famous in southern Ireland and attracted numerous disciples. His body was buried in his own cathedral at Cork, and his relics, some years after, were put in a silver shrine, and kept there, and this great church bear his name to this day. His feast day is celebrated on September 25
54. St. Brynach of Carnengly, Abbot (c5th century) St. Brynach was an Irishman who settled in Wales, where he built a hermitage and a church at a place called Carn-Engyle (Mountain of Angels) overlooking the Nevern (Pembrokeshire). Traditionally, the place received its name because Brynach was in constant communication with the angels. His church became the principal church of the district. His feast day is celebrated on April 7
55. St. Seiriol of Anglesey, Abbot of Penmon Priory (born c 494) Saint lived in a small hermitage on the Eastern Peninsula of Ynys Mon (Anglesey) in Wales. His two ruling brothers decided this humble residence was far too lowly for their Royal brother and founded an important monastery around his cell. Thus, St. Seiriol became the first Abbot of Penmon Priory. His hermitage and holy-well can still be seen there today. Seiriol became a great friend of St. Cybi (No 74) who lived at Caer-Gybi on Ynys Cybi (Holy Island) on the far side of Ynys Mon (Anglesey). The two would often walk several miles to meet up for prayers at the Clorach Wells in Llandyfrydog in the centre of the island. His feast day is celebrated on February 1.
56.. St Mildred of Thanet (+c 700) One of the three daughters of St Ermenburgh of Minster-in-Thanet in England. She succeeded her mother as Abbess of Thanet. Her relics were enshrined in Canterbury and part of them survive. Her life describes her as ‘ever merciful, of easy temper and tranquil’. Her feast day is celebrated on July 13
57. St. Bede the Venerable of Yarrow (c 673-735) patron saint of scholars and historians Born in Wearmouth in the north of England, as a child he entered the monastery of Sts Peter and Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow (founded by bishop St. Benedict,(No 39)) and spent his whole life there, ‘always praying, always writing, always reading, always teaching’. He wrote many commentaries on the Scriptures. His work The History of the English Church and People earned him the title of the Father of English History. He reposed on Ascension Eve and his dying words were ‘Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit’. His feast day is celebrated on May 25 / 26
58 .St. Wulfgilda, Abbess of Barking (+ c 1000. ) Abbess of convents at Barking and Horton, both in England. Her feast day is celebrated on September 9
59. St. Edgar, ”The Peaceable” King of England (+c 975.) A King of England who repented of a depraved youth and whose reign was marked by a strong religious revival in England. His feast day is celebrated on July 8
60/ St. Colman Mc O’Laoighse of Oughaval, (6. century.) A disciple of St Columba(No11) and St Fintan of Clonenagh. He founded and was abbot of a monastery in Oughaval in Ireland. He is still venerated at the nearby Orthodox church at Stradbally which is dedicated to him. His feast day is celebrated on May 15
61. St Monena (+ c 518.) An ascetic and Abbess of Sliabh Cuillin in Ireland. Her feast day is celebrated on July 6
63. St. Deiniol, First Bishop of Bangor, Wales (+c 584) The son of a Celtic chieftain, he founded two monasteries, both named Bangor, one of which was close to the modern town of that name. Deiniol himself is regarded as the first bishop of Bangor. In 545 he and St. Dyfrig,(No 94) who worked in the border country, took part in a synod with St. David (No 92) which settled many matters regarding the discipline of penance. This suggests that Deiniol was regarded as David’s equal. His feast day is celebrated on September 11
64.St. Illtyd, Abbot in Wales (+ c 505. ) One of the most famous saints in Wales. He became a monk with St Cadoc(No 84) and later founded the monastery of Lian-IlItut (Llantwit), from where came most of the Welsh saints of that period. By tradition he reposed in Brittany. His feast day is celebrated on November 6
65. St. Walstan (c 975-1016.)
Born at Bawburgh in Norfolk in England, he spent his life as a farm labourer in Taverham and Costessey, being remarkable for his charity to all in need. His feast day is celebrated on May 30
66. St. Gildas the Wise, Bishop and Writer (+ c 570.)
Born in the year the Britons defeated the Saxons at Bath, he was a disciple of St Illtyd (No 64). Towards the end of his life, he went to Brittany and lived as a hermit on the island of Rhuys. St Gildas is famous for a work on the sufferings of his homeland, De excidiis Britanniae. His feast day is celebrated on January 29
67.St. Hilda, Abbes of Whitby ( c 614-680.)
Born in Northumbria, she was a relative of King Edwin. Baptised as a child by St Paulinus in 631, at the age of thirty-three she joined the nuns of Hartlepool in Northumberland where soon after she became abbess. Later she became Abbess of Whitby. Her influence was one of the most decisive factors in uniting the Church in seventh century England. Five of her monks became bishops. Her feast day is celebrated on November 17
68. St. Cedd, Founder of Lastingham Abbey (+ c 664.) Brother of St Chad of Lichfield (No 80), he was a monk at Lindisfarne who enlightened the Midlands of England and later became Bishop of the East Saxons. He founded monasteries in Tilbury and Lastingham. His feast day is celebrated on October 26
69. St. MacNis, Bishop and Abbot of Kells (c+ 514.)
Saint MacNisse, was baptized as an infant by St. Patrick (No 81) who later consecrated him the first abbot-bishop of Kells, which became the diocese of Connor, Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on September 3
70. St. Dubtcah, Archbishop of Armagh (+ c 513.) Archbishop of the primatial see of Armagh, Ireland, from 497 until his death His feast day is celebrated on October 7
71. St. AedhMacBricc, Bishop of Armagh (6. century)
A disciple of St Illadan (f.d. June 10) at Rathlihen in Offaly in Ireland, he founded churches at Rathugh and other places in his native Meath, where he was bishop.He cured Saint Brigid (No 72.) of a headache, so is often invoked to cure headaches. His feast day is celebrated on November 10
72. St. Brigid, Abbess of Kildare,& Ppatron saint of Ireland (c 450-c 525. ) Venerated throughout the world as the prototype of all nuns, Brigid consecrated herself to God at a young age. She was veiled as a nun by St. Macaille(f.d. Apr.25) at Croghan and consecrated as Abbess by Bishop St Mel (f.d.Feb 6) at Armag . She founded c 470 the first convent in Ireland at Kildare (originally Cill-Daire or ‘church of the oak’) as a double monastery, housing both men and women, a common practice in the Celtic lands. The illuminated manuscripts originating there were praised, especially the Book of Kildare..Brigid bridged the gap between Christian and pagan cultures, building a ‘church of oak ‘(the oak was sacred to the druids), and in the inner sanctuary of the Church was a light on the altar ( perpetual flame was another religious symbol of the druiwas)a symbolysing the shining of the Gospel in the heart of Ireland. Brigid is called the ‘Mary of the Gael’ because of her spirit of charity.Her shrine at Kildare Cathedral, was an object of veneration for pilgrims.Owing to the Scandinavian raids, the relics of St. Brigid were taken to Downpatrick, where they were interred in the tomb of St. Patrick and St. Columba. A relic of her shoe, made of silver and brass set with jewels, is at the National Museum of Dublin Brigid is the patron saint of Ireland, poets, dairymaids, blacksmiths, healers, cattle, fugitives, Irish nuns, midwives, and new-born babies. In England, there are 19 ancient churches dedications to her, of which the most important is the oldest church in London, St. Bride’s in Fleet Street. Her feast day is celebrated on February 1
73. St. Paternus (5century)
Together with others he founded the monastery of Llanbadarn Fawr (i.e. the great monastery of Padarn) near Aberystwyth in Wales. He preached the Gospel there. His feast day is celebrated on April 15
74. St. Cybi (c. 483-555) An abbot who, with St Seiroil (No 55), is one of the most famous saints of Anglesey. He founded a monastery there, called Caer Gybi (the fortress of Cybi). He is the patron saint of Llangibby and Llangybi in Wales and Tregony, Landulph and Cuby in Cornwall. His feast day is celebrated on November 8
75. St. Gladys (5. century) A saint in Wales, she was married to St Gwynllyw and was the mother of St Cadoc ( No 84). Her feast day is celebrated on March 29
76. St. Egwin, Bishop of Worcester (+c 717. )
Consecrated to God in his youth, he eventually became the third Bishop of Worcester in England in 692 and may have founded the monastery of Evesham. His feast day is celebrated on December 30
77. St, Oswin Martyr-King of North Umbria (+c 651.) He succeeded St Oswald(No 78) as ruler of Deira, but reigned only nine years, being killed at Gilling in Yorkshire by order of his cousin Oswy. Ever since he has been venerated as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated on August 20
78. St. Oswald Martyr-King of North Umbria (c 604-642.)
The successor of St Edwin (No 79) on the throne of Northumbria in England, he was baptised in exile on Iona. In 635 he defeated the Welsh King Cadwalla and so his real reign began. One of his main aims was to enlighten his country and so he called on St Aidan (No 33) to help him. In 642 he fell in battle at Maserfield fighting against the champion of paganism, Penda of Mercia. He has always been venerated as a martyr and his head is still in St Cuthbert’s (No 32)coffin in Durham. His feast day is celebrated on August 5
79. St. Edwin Martyr-King of North Umbria (+ c 633.) In 616 he became King of Northumbria in England, married Ethelburgh of Kent and was baptised by St Paulinus.(No 50) He fell in battle at Hatfield Chase fighting against pagan Mercians and Welsh and was venerated as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated on October 12
80. St. Chad, Bishop of Mercea (+ c 673.) Brother of St Cedd,(No 68) he was a monk at Lindisfarne with St Aidan (No 33), and in Ireland. On returning to England, he became Abbot of Lastingham. He became Bishop of York, but then out of humility agreed to go to Mercia (English Midlands) as bishop. He lived in Lichfield and reposed there. Saint Chad, a Celtic Bishop, played a huge role in unifying the Church in 664 by accepting and recommending to his fellow bishops the adoption of the Orthodox Nicene calendar His relics are preserved in the Cathedral dedicated to him in Birmingham. His feast day is celebrated on March 2
81. St. Patric, Apostle of Ireland (c 390-461) Romano-Briton born in what is now England, at the age of sixteen he was abducted and taken to Ireland. However, he escaped after six years. He then went to monasteries in France and about the year 432 returned to Ireland as a bishop. He travelled throughout the country preaching, teaching, building churches, establishing monasteries and converting chiefs He was the first organiser of the Irish Church and was based in Armagh. His feast day is celebrated on March 17
82. St. Winifred, Abbess of Holy Well (7. century)
Born in Wales and a niece of St Beuno(No 83), she was beheaded by a prince for refusing his advances. A spring of water gushed forth where her head had fallen. This was the origin of her holy well which has been a centre of pilgrimage ever since. Her feast day is celebrated on November 3
83. St. Beuno, Founder and Abbot of Clynnog monastery (+ c 640.)
Born in Wales, he founded monasteries at Llanfeuno in Herefordshire and Llanymynech. His name is chiefly connected with Clynnog Fawr in Gwynedd. His feast day is celebrated on April 21
84. St. Cadoc, martyr (+ c 580) Founder of the monastery of Llancarfan not far from Cardiff in Wales, he later lived as a hermit on an island off the coast of Vannes in Brittany. He returned to Britain and by tradition was martyred by heathen near Weedon in England. His feast day is celebrated on January 24
85. St. Afan, Welsh Bishop (6. century) A bishop who gave his name to the church of Llanafan in Powys in Wales. His feast day is celebrated on November 16
86. St Kenelm, boy Princ-martyr of Mercea (+ c 821. ) Son of King Coenwulf of Mercia in England. By tradition he was murdered in the forest of Clent and buried in Winchcombe. His feast day is celebrated on July 17
87. St. Edwold, hermit of Cerne (9. century) Possibly the brother of St Edmund (No 96) the Martyr, King of East Anglia. He lived as a hermit at Cerne in Dorset in England. His feast day is celebrated on August 29
88. St. Telio (6. century)
Probably born in Penally near Tenby in Wales. He was a disciple of St Dyfrig (No 94) and a friend of Sts David (No 92) and Samson(f.d. July 28). He founded Llandaff monastery (Landeio Fawr) in Dyfed where he was buried. His feast day is celebrated on February 9
89. St. Pabo, Prince and Founder of Llanbabon monastery at Anglesey, Wales (+ c 510.) Pabo ‘Post Prydain'(“the Pillar of Britain“) was a king in Old North of sub-Roman Britain and grandfather of St. Deiniol, St. Asaph (No 93) and St.Tysilio. He is the Founder of Llanbabon monastery at Anglesey in Wales. His feast day is celebrated on November 9.
90.St. Neot, monk of Glastonbury (+c 880). According to tradition he was a monk at Glastonbury in England, who became a hermit in Cornwall at the place now called Saint Neot. Some relics were later taken to the town now called St Neots in Cambridgeshire. His feast day is celebrated on July 31
91. St. Herbert, hermit at Lake Derwentwater (+ c 687.)
A priest and friend of St Cuthbert (No 32), who lived as a hermit on the island named after him on Lake Derwentwater in England. The two saints were granted their prayer to repose on the same day. His feast day is celebrated on March 20
92. St, David, Bishop and Patron Saint of Wales (+ c 600.)
Born in south Wales, he lived during the golden age of Celtic Christianity St.David, studied under Saint Paulinus (No 50), the disciple of Saint Germanus of Auxerre(No 117), for several years. He then engaged in missionary activities, founded 12 monasteries from Croyland to Pembrokeshire, the last of which, at Mynyw (Menevia) in southwestern Wales, was known for the extreme asceticism of its rule, which was based on that of the Egyptian monks..Their monastery became a seedbed of saints. He attended the Council of Brefi in c 545. St. David’s Cathedral lies in a hollow in the rugged Goewer peninsular called in Welsh Mynyw, the most western tip of Britain. Relics of St.David and St,Justinian (f.d.. Dec. 5 ), his confessor, are there to this day. His feast day is celebrated on March 1
93. St. Asaph, Bishop in North Wales (+ c 600.)
One of St Kentigern’s(No 27) monks in the north of Wales. He is believed to have succeeded St Kentigern as abbot and bishop, leaving his own name to the see now in Clwyd. Many of his relatives are also venerated as saints. His feast day is celebrated on May 1
94. St. Dufrig. Bishop and Founder of several Welsh monasteries (+c. 545.) He was born near Hereford. His earliest foundation was Ariconium (Archenfield, Hereford), but his most important centres were at Hentland (Henllan) and Moccas in the Wye valley. Dyfrig attracted numerous disciples to the two monasteries, and from them founded many other monasteries and churches.He was associated with St. Illtyd (No 64), and St.Dyfrig and St. Deinol (No 63) were the two prelates who convinced St. David (No 92)) to attend the synod of Brefi. He becomes the archbishop of Caerleon (Caerlon-on-Usk) and, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, crowns King Arthur at Colchester, He is founder of the Normans’ see of Llandaff, where he was one of the four titular saints of the cathedral. He reposed on the Isle of Bardsey
His feast day is celebrated on November 14
95. St. Osyth, Queen & Abbess in Essex (+ c 700.)
St. Osyth was a princess of the Hwiccas in the west of England. She married Sighere, King of the East Saxons. Their son, the future St. Offa (f.d. Dec.15), became King in 683, later abdicating. St. Osyth founded a convent, in Essex. Her feast day is celebrated on October 7
96. St. Edmund, Martyr-King of East Anglia (c 841-869) King of East Anglia and first patron-saint of England. In 869 he was taken prisoner by the heathen Danes and savagely martyred at Hoxne in Suffolk. He died with the name of Jesus on his lips. Bury St Edmunds was named after him. His feast day is celebrated on November 20
97. St. Withburga, hermitess and founder of monastery in East Dereham (+ c 743) Daughter of King Anna of East Anglia located in present-day England. She founded a monastery at Dereham in Norfolk. A traditional story says that the Holy Mother of God sent a pair of female deer to provide milk for her workers during the monastery’s construction. Withburga’s body was uncorrupted when discovered half a century after her death: It was later stolen on the orders of the abbot of Ely. A spring appeared at the site of the saint’s empty tomb at Dereham and it is to this day called Saint Withburga’s wel. She is venerated at Barham, Burlingham, and Dereham. Her feast day is celebrated on July 8
98. St. Follian / 99.St Fursey Irish monks, founders of Burdh Castle monastery, (+ c 655.)
Sts Follian, Fursey and Ultan were.brothers.They left Ireland for East Anglia in England. St Foillan became the Abbot of Burgh Castle near Yarmouth but when this monastery was destroyed, he went to Belgium. St Ita (f.d. Jan. 15)of Nivelles gave him land at Fosses where he founded a monastery. He enlightened Brabant but was killed by robbers and is venerated as a martyr. Their feast day is celebrated on October 31
100. Holy Mother of God of Sign, Icon
101. St, Ia of Cornwall (+c 450. )
Irish princess and the sister of St Ercus(f.d. Oct. 31).She went to the seashore to depart for Cornwall from her native Ireland along with Sts Fingar, Piala (f.dsDec.14).and others. Finding that they had gone without her, fearing that she was too young for such a hazardous journey, she began to pray. As she prayed she noticed a small leaf floating on the water and touched it with a rod to see if it would sink. As she watched it grew bigger and bigger. Trusting to God, she embarked upon the leaf and was carried across the Irish Sea. She reached Cornwall before the others. She was martyred at the mouth of the River Hayle. The town of St Ives is called after her. Her feast day is celebrated on February 13
102. St. George Victorious, Patron Saint of England (c. 275/285 – 23 April/6 May 303) St George was born to a Greek Christian noble family in Lydda in Palestine, and he died in the Greek city of Nicomedia in Asia Minor. His father, Gerontios, was a Greek from Cappadocia, an officer in the Roman army; and his mother, Polychronia, was a Greek native of Lydda. They were both Christians from noble families so their child was raised with Christian beliefs. They decided to call him Georgios (Greek), meaning “worker of the land” (i.e., farmer). At the age of fourteen, George lost his father, and a few years later, George’s mother, Polychronia, died.
Then St. George decided to go to Nicomedia and present himself to Emperor Diocletian to apply for a career as a soldier. Diocletian welcomed him with open arms, as he had known his father, Gerontius, one of his finest soldiers. By his late 20s, St. George was promoted to the rank of Tribunus and stationed as an imperial guard of the Emperor at Nicomedia On 24 February AD 303, Diocletian issued an edict that every Christian soldier in the army should be arrested. George with the courage of his faith approached the Emperor and ruler. Diocletian was upset, but left with no choice but to have St. George executed . Before the execution St. George gave his wealth to the poor and prepared himself. After various torture sessions, including laceration on a wheel of swords in which he was resuscitated three times, St George was executed by decapitation before Nicomedia’s city wall. A witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become Christians as well, and so they joined St.George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda for burial. St. George is one of the most venerated saints in the Orthodox World. He is the patron saint of England, Greece, Ethiopia, Aragon, Portugal and Russia as well as a wide range of professions and disease sufferers. His feast day is celebrated on May 6
103. St. Alban the Protomartyr.(+c 209 – 305) Venerated as the Protomartyr of Britain. He was a citizen of Verulam, now in England, converted by a persecuted priest whom he had sheltered in his house. He was executed on Holmhurst Hill and on this site was built the monastery of St Alban’s, by which name Verulam has since been known.. Alban met a Christian priest fleeing from “persecutors,” and sheltered him in his house. The priest prayed day and night, and Alban was so impressed with the priest’s faith and piety, so he soon converted to Christianity As Roman Soldiers came to seize the priest, Alban put on the priest’s cloak and clothing, and presented himself to the soldiers in place of his guest. Alban was sentenced to endure all the punishments that were to be inflicted upon the priest, unless he would comply with the pagan rites of their religion. Alban refused, and declared “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things.” (These words are still used in prayer at St Alban’s Abbey). When the judge realized that these tortures would not shake his faith, he ordered that Alban be beheaded. St Albans Catedral now stands near to the believed site of his execution. His feast day is celebrated on June 20
104. St, Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely (c 636 – 679) East Anglian princess, Fenland and Northumbrian queen and Abbess of Ely. She was one of the four saintly daughters of King Anna of East Anglia,.all of whom eventually retired from secular life and founded Abbeys. St, Etheldreda made an early first marriage in around 652 to Tondberct, prince of the South Gyrwe. She managed to persuade her husband to respect her vow of perpetual virginity that she had made prior to their marriage. Upon his death in 655, she retired to the Isle of Ely, She remarried for political reasons in 660, this time to Ecgfrith of Northumbria. Shortly after his accession to the throne in 670,she became a nun. Etheldreda founded a double monastery at Ely in 673, which was later destroyed in the Danish invasion of 870. Her feast day is celebrated on June 23
105. St. Guthlac, hermit at Crowland fens (c 673-714. )
From being a warrior in the army of Ethelred, King of Mercia, Guthlac became a monk at Repton in England. Afterwards he went to live as a hermit in the fens, where he spent the last fifteen years of his life like a desert-father. Later the monastery of Crowland grew up at the place where he had lived. His feast day is celebrated on April 11
106. St. Austell of Cornwall (c 6. century)
A disciple of St Meon or Mewan (No 107) of Cornwall. He probably lived in the area where the place-name preserves his memory. His feast day is celebrated on June 28
107. St. Meon, Cornish Abbot (+ c 617) Traditionally the Cornish Saint Meon is said to have been born to a rich and noble family. Accompanied by his reputed godson St Austell(f.d. June 28), he followed St. Samson (f.d. July 28) from Wales to Brittany. He acquitted himself so well as a preacher that he was given land and goods to found a monastery. He founded one monastery near Rennes, Saint John the Baptist of Gael, now called Saint-Meen’s. Then he founded another monastery near Angers, which was later called Saint-Meen or Saint-Meon, which he populated with monks from Gael. His feast day is celebrated on June 21.
108. St. Morwenna of Cornwall (c 5. century)
Several places are named after her, notably Morwenstow in Cornwall, where her relics are probably buried under the church floor. Her feast day is celebrated on July 8
109. St. Elgiva, Queen of England and founder of Shaftesbury monastery (+ c 944.) Widow of King Edmund (No 96) and mother of St Edgar (No 59), she became Abbess of Shaftesbury in England. Her feast day is celebrated on May 18
110. St. Nectan, martyr of Hartland (6. century) Born in Wales, he is the patron saint of Hartland in Devon, now in England, where he was a hermit. His feast day is celebrated on June 17
111. St. Brannock, Abbot of Braunton (6. century)
Saint Brannock have migrated from southern Wales into Devon, and have founded a monastery at Braunton, near Barnstaple in Devonshire. His feast day is celebrated on January 7
112. St. Walburga, Abbess of Wimborne (c 710-779)
Sister of Sts Willibald (f.d.July 7) and St, Wynbald.(No 118). She became a nun at Wimborne in Dorset in England. Her uncle, St. Boniface(No 127), sent her to Wimborne to help with missionary work. After a couple of years she went to Germany with St. Lioba (f.d. sept. 28) firstly to Bischofsheim. Lately, she was appointed abbess of the convent of nuns founded by her brothers in Heidenheim. She reposed as Abbess of Heidenheim, from where her relics were translated to Eichstätt. Miraculous healings come from the oil which still flows from the rock on which her shrine is placed.She is honoured as the protectress against black magic. Her feast day is celebrated on February 25.
113. St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury (c 602-690.)
A Greek who was educated in Tarsus in Cilicia, he spent some time at Athens and became a monk in Rome. He was aged sixty-six when Pope Vitalian appointed him to Canterbury at the suggestion of the African St Adrian (No 122) in 666. They travelled to England together, Adrian becoming Abbot of Sts Peter and Paul in Canterbury. Theodore is rightly called the second founder of Canterbury. He visited all parts of the country, consolidated or re-established dioceses, promoted learning and held the first national Council in Hertford in 672. St Theodore is one of the greatest figures in English history. His feast day is celebrated on September 19
114. St. Hieu, Abbess of Tadcaster (+ c 657. )
She became a nun and then Abbess of Tadcaster in Yorkshire in England. Her feast day is celebrated on September 2
115. St. Nonna (5. century)
Mother of St David (No 92), patron-saint of Wales, she probably came from a ruling family in Dyfed A chapel and a well near her son’s Cathedral still bear her name. Her feast day is celebrated on March 3
116.St.Petroc, Patron Saint of Cornwall (+c 564)
Born in Wales, this Celtic Christian saint studied in Ireland and settled in Cornwall. He founded a monastery at a place called after him, Petrocstow (Padstow), and another at Bodmin where he reposed. With Saint Piran(f.d. Marc 5) and Saint Michael (f.d. May 8), he is patron saint of Cornwall. His feast day is celebrated on June 4
117. St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre (c 378-448).
Born in Auxerre in France, he governed part of Gaul. In 418 he became Bishop of Auxerre. He came to Britain twice (in 429 and 447), where he succeeded in stamping out Pelagianism. He reposed in Ravenna in Italy. St. Germain was honoured in Cornwall and at St. Alban’s in England’s pre-reformation days, and has always been the patron of Auxerr His feast day is celebrated on July 31
118. St. Wynbald (c.702–761), abbot of Heidenheim The first known English pilgrim to the Holy Land. With his brother he founded the double monastery of Heidenheim in 752. Wynbald was placed as abbot over the men, and his sister, St. Walburga(No 112), governed the nuns. Wynbald’s body was found incorrupt eighteen years after his death. His feast day is celebrated on July 7.
119. St. Geraint. King of Devon (+c508.) St. Geraint (Gerontius) of Damnonia (Devon) and his wife Enid were the subjects of romantic legends. He died in battle against the Saxons. Around the year 480, a battle took place between the Saxons, defending the old Roman Saxon. His feast day is celebrated on August 10
120. St. Willibald of Wessex, Bishop of Eichtatt in Germany (c 700-786/7)
Born in Wessex in England, he was a brother of Sts Winebald(No 120) and Walburga(No 112) and a cousin of St Boniface(No 127). At the age of five he was given as a monk at Waltham in Hampshire. In 722 he accompanied his father St Richard (f.d. Feb. 7) and his brother St Winebald on a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land. Here he visited all the holy places and many monasteries, staying in Constantinople for two years. On his return to Italy he lived at Montecassino for ten years. Then he was sent to Germany to help St Boniface and in 742 was consecrated Bishop of Eichstätt. With his brother St Winebald he founded the monastery of Heidenheim where their sister St. Walburga became abbess. His relics are still in the Cathedral in Eichstätt. His feast day is celebrated on July 7
121. St. Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury, Apostle of England (c 604)
He shares the title of Apostle of the English with St Gregory the Great.(f.d. Sept. 3) A monk at St Andrew’s on the Coelian Hill, he was sent by St Gregory the Great with a group of forty monks to enlighten England. The missionaries landed at Ebbsfleet near Kent in 597. Soon Augustine had converted the King of Kent with thousands of his subjects. Consecrated bishop in ArIes, he set up his see in Canterbury. Trained in the Roman way, he was not successful in his relations with the Celts. He reposed shortly after St Gregory the Great. His feast day is celebrated on May 27
122. St. Adrian, Abbot of Canterbury (+c 710. ) Born in North Africa, he became Abbot of Nerida not far from Naples in Italy. Chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury, he declined the office and recommended instead St Theodore of Tarsus(No 113), with whom he came to England. He became Abbot of Sts Peter and Paul, later called St Augustine (No 121) in Canterbury. He was eminent for his holiness and his learning. His feast day is celebrated on January 9
123. St. Eanswythe, Abbess of Folkestone (+ c 640.) Granddaughter of King Ethelbert of Kent, she founded the first convent in England on the coast near Folkestone. This was later destroyed by the Danes and swallowed up by the sea. Relics of St Eanswith are venerated in her church in Folkestone to this day. Her feast day is celebrated on 31 August
124. St. Erconwald, Bishop of London (+c 693.) Of noble origin in the east of England, he founded a monastery in Chertsey and a convent in Barking. He became abbot of the former and his sister St Ethelburgh(f.d.Oct. 11.) the abbess of the latter. In 675 he became Bishop of London. His shrine at St Paul’s became a centre of veneration and he was called ‘The Light of London’. His feast day is celebrated on April 30
125. St. Urith of Chittlehamton She was probably a nun martyred by pagan English invaders at Chittlehampton in Devon. Her shrine was in the village church there, where her relics may still be buried under the floor Her feast day is celebrated on July 8
126. St. Edward, Martyr-King of England (+ c 978. ) The son of St Edgar the Peaceful(No 59), he became King of England at the age of thirteen, in 978 he was murdered by plotters at Corfe and buried in Wareham in Dorset. He was at once acclaimed as a martyr. His relics are venerated in an Orthodox monastery in Brookwood, Surrey to this day. His feast day is celebrated on March 18
127. St. Boniface of Crediton, Apostle of Germany, and martyr (c 675-754.) Born in Crediton in Devon in England, at the age of five he entered the monastery in Exeter. In 718 he left England for Germany as a missionary. In 723 Pope Gregory II consecrated him bishop with full jurisdiction over the Germanies. In 731 he became Metropolitan beyond the Rhine and in 747 Archbishop of Mainz. He established many monasteries and convents, including Fulda, where his relics are still venerated. He put these monasteries under the charge of English monks and nuns. He was also responsible for reorganising the corrupt Frankish Church. He was martyred in his old age, with fifty-two companions, in Dokkum in Holland. His feast day is celebrated on June 5
128. St. Elstan of Abingdon (c+ 981. )
A monk at Abingdon in England trained by St Ethelwold, he was celebrated as a model of obedience.St. Ethelwold (No 133) had been ordained with St. Dunstan(No 136), and they both worked together to restore the discipline of the monasticism and bring it under the Benedictine Rule. He became Bishop of Ramsbury and succeeded St Ethelwold as Abbot of Abingdon His feast day is celebrated on April 6
129. St. Siluan the Atonaite, Icon
130.St. Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne (c 639-709.) Born in Wessex in England, he became a monk at Malmesbury and taught there. In 675 he became abbot and in 705 first Bishop of Sherborne. Aldhelm was the first Englishman to attain distinction as a scholar. His feast day is celebrated on May 25
131. St. Edith of Wilton (+c 984.)
Daughter of St, King Edgar (No 59) and St Wilfrida(f.d. Sept. 13). She became a nun at Wilton in England at the age of fifteen. She reposed at the age of twenty-two, famous for her generosity to the poor and her familiarity with wild animals. Her feast day is celebrated on September 16
132. St. Beoca, Abbot of Chertsey and his companions martyrs (+c 869.)
In their onslaught on England, the Danes attacked monasteries in particular. They martyred Sts Beoca, Abbot, Ethor, monk-priest and some ninety monks at Chertsey in Surrey; at Peterborough they martyred St Hedda (No 143), Abbot, and others at his monastery; at Thorney, St Torthred and others. Their feast day is celebrated on April 10
133. St. Ethelwold, father of monks (c 912-984.)
Born in Winchester in England and already a monk and priest, in 955 he became Abbot of Abingdon and in 963 Bishop of Winchester. Together with St Dunstan (No 136) and St Oswald of York (f.d. Feb. 28) he led the monastic revival of the age, restoring the monasteries of Newminster, Milton Abbas, Chertsey, Peterborough, Thorney and Ely to monastic life after occupation by married clergy. For this reason, he was called ‘The Father of Monks’. The Winchester School of Illumination flourished under him, as did developments in music and liturgy. His feast day is celebrated on August 1
134. St. Alphege, Martyr-Bishop of Winchester (c 954-1012)
A monk at Deerhurst in Gloucestershire in England, then Abbot of Bath, he became Bishop of Winchester in 984 and thirtieth Archbishop of Canterbury in 1005. He was greatly loved by his flock and during the Danish invasion of 1011 he was urged to pay a ransom. He refused, was taken prisoner and martyred in Greenwich, the only Orthodox Archbishop of Canterbury to be martyred. His relics were enshrined in St Paul’s in London and later in Canterbury. His feast day is celebrated on April 19
135. St. Cuthman, hermit-shepard of Steyning in Sussex (9. century) A confessor who lived a holy life as a shepherd near Steyning in Sussex in England.,where the church was dedicated to him. His feast day is celebrated on February 8.
136. St. Dunnstan, Archbishop of Canterbury (c 909-988.) Born near Glastonbury, he became a monk and abbot there. He was called to court as a counsellor but was forced into exile. He then spent a year in Ghent(Belgium), a centre of monastic revival, but then he was recalled to England by King Edgar (No 59) and became his main advisor. He was consecrated Bishop of Worcester in 957 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 961. Together with Sts Ethelwold (No 133) of Winchester and Oswald of York(f.d. Feb. 28), he restored monastic life in England. He reposed peacefully at Canterbury. His feast day is celebrated on May 19
137. St. Melor Martyr-King of Cornwall (6. century) Breton Saint who in England was venerated particularly in Wilthsire where he was titular of Amesbury Abby which claimed his relics. His uncle Riwal, murdered his father, St. King Miliau(f,d. Oct.27) when he was only seven. At the intervention of Council of Bishops, instead of murdering St Melor, Riwal decided to maim the boy, cutting off his right hand (replaced by a silver prosthsis) and left foot (replaced with one of bronze). Melor was sent away to Quimper Abbey to be educated. Here, his metal limbs began to work as if they were natural, and to grow along with him. By the time the prince was fourteen, Riwal decided that he must die and the boy was decapitated. His feast day is celebrated on October 1.
138. St. Branwallder, Bishop of Jersey (c 6. century) Bishop in Jersey in the Channel Islands. King Athelstan, who founded the monastery of Milton in Dorset in England translated relics of the saint there in 935. His feast was kept at Winchester, Exeter, and Cornwall. His feast day is celebrated on January 19
139. St. Helier of Jersey (c 6. century)
Born in Tongres in Belgium, he lived as a hermit on Jersey in the Channel Islands and was martyred by heathen whom he was trying to convert. His feast day is celebrated on July 16.
140. St. Frideswide, Abbess and Patron Saint of Oxford City &University (+ c 680-735. )
Daughter of a prince of the Upper Thames, she founded a double monastery dedicated to the Holy Mother of God on the site of what is now Christchurch in Oxford. From childhood she took as her maxim ‘Whatever is not God is nothing’. Her feast day is celebrated on October 19
141. St. Birinius, Bishop of Dorchester, Apostle of Wessex (c + 650.)
Born in Lombardy in Italy, he was consecrated Bishop in Genoa and sent to England. Here he converted Cynegils, King of Wessex, and was given Dorchester in Oxfordshire as his see. He is known as the ‘Apostle of Wessex’. His feast day is celebrated on December 3.
142. St. Swithun, Bishop of Winchester (+c 862. )
Born in Wessex in England, he spent his youth at the monastery in Winchester. He became a priest and in 852 Bishop of Winchester. On his repose and at his request, he was buried in the cemetery outside the minster. His relics were translated into the cathedral in 971, many miracles occurring, not least very heavy rainfall which gave rise to the popular saying, ‘St Swithn’s day if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain‘. His feast day is celebrated on July 2
143. St. Hedda, Bishop and companions Martyrs (+ c 869. )
Hedda was the Abbot of Peterborough in England. He and eighty-four monks of his monastery were martyred by the Danes. His feast day is celebrated on April 9.
144. St. Ethelburga, Abbess of Lyminge (+ c 647.) Daughter of St. King Ethelbert(No 42) of Kent in England, she married St. King Edwin (No 79) of Northumbria. She went there accompanied by St Paulinus (No 50). After St. Edwin’s death she returned to Kent and founded the convent of Lyminge, where she became a nun and abbess. Her feast day is celebrated on September 8.
145. St. Justus Archbishop of Canterbury (+c 627. )
Born in Italy, he was sent by St Gregory the Great(f.d. March 12) to England in 601. In 604 he became first Bishop of Rochester and in 624 succeeded St Mellitus(f.d. April 24) as the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury His feast day is celebrated on November 10.
146. St. Brendan, Navigator & Voyager, and seven monks from Ireland (c 486-c 575 or c 583)
One of the three most famous ascetics of Ireland, he was born in Kerry, becoming a disciple of St Finian(No 35)at Clonard and of St Gildas(No 66) at Llancarfan in Wales. He was a great founder of monasteries, especially of Clonfert. He is best known in history for his voyages and may have reached North America. After strange wanderings that included celebrating the Divine Liturgy on the back of a whale, he returned to Ireland . St Brendan is venerated as the patron- saint of sailors. His feast day is celebrated on May 16.