ON THIS DAY 7th December 521. Saint Columba (Irish: Colm Cille, church dove; 7 December 521 – 9 June 597) was born, in modern County Donegal, Ulster in the north of Ireland. He was an Irish missionary credited with spreading Christianity in present-day Scotland. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries. He is the Patron Saint of the city of Londonderry. He was highly regarded by both the Gaels of Dál Riata and the Picts. Columba studied under some of Irelands most prominent church figures and founded several monasteries in the country. Around 563 he and his companions crossed to Dunaverty near Southend, Argyll in Kintyre before settling in Iona in Scotland, then part of the Irish kingdom of Dál Riata, (Dalriada) where they founded a new abbey as a base for spreading Christianity among the northern Pictish (Scottish) kingdoms who were pagan. He spent most of the remainder of his life in Scotland. Three surviving early Medieval Latin hymns may be attributed to him. Despite the common misconception Ireland was not a Roman Catholic country until forced into Catholaism in 1155, Pope Adrian IV, the sole English born Pope, and a bad racial at that, issued a papal bull. This gave King Henry II (another bad man) of England permission to invade Ireland and impose the takeover of control of the Irish Church by Rome. Monasteries in the early church were not how we imagine them to be today, but were the universities of their day where young men when for a period of time to be instructed in theology and other related subjects, returning to the community as “Pastors, Teachers, and Missionaries there was never a life time commitment to a monastic lifestyle as we understand it today. In early Christian Ireland the druidic tradition collapsed due to the spread of the new Christian faith. The study of Latin learning and Christian theology in monasteries flourished. Columba became a pupil at the monastic school at Clonard Abbey, situated on the River Boyne in modern County Meath. During the sixth century, some of the most significant names in the history of Irish Christianity studied at the Clonard monastery. It is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000. Columba was one of twelve students of Finnian who became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Scotland In 563, he travelled to Scotland with his companions in a wicker coracle covered with leather. According to legend he first landed on the Kintyre Peninsula, near Southend. However, being still in sight of his native land, he moved farther north up the west coast of Scotland. Conall Mac Comgaill King of Dál Riata made over the island of Iona to him, (Dalriada). However, there is a sense in which he was not leaving his native people, as the Irish Gaels had been colonising the west coast of Scotland for the previous couple of centuries. Aside from the services he provided guiding the only centre of literacy in the region, his reputation as a holy man led to his role as a diplomat among the tribes. In addition to founding several churches in the Hebrides, he worked to turn his monastery at Iona into a school for missionaries. He was a renowned man of letters, having written several hymns and being credited with having transcribed 300 books. Columba died on Iona and was buried in 597 by his friends in the abbey he created. It is known that Clan MaCallum and Clan Malcolm are descended from the original name Columba, (proving the these men married and had children) It is also said that Clan Robertson are heirs of Columba. Clan McKINNON may also have some claim to being spiritual descendants of St Columcille as after he founded his monastery on Isle Iona, the McKinnons were the abbots of the Church for centuries. This would also account for the fact that Clan MacKinnon is amongst the ancient clans of Scotland. (That name McKinnon rings a bell) The cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles is placed under the patronage of St. Columba, as are numerous Catholic schools and parishes throughout the nation. The Scottish Episcopal Church and Church of Scotland also have parishes dedicated to him. The village of Kilmacolm in Renfrewshire is also derived from Columbas name. As of 2011, Canadians who are of Scottish ancestry are the third largest ethnic group in the country and thus Columbas name is to be found attached to Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian parishes. This is particularly the case in eastern Canada apart from Quebec, which is French-speaking. Throughout the US there are numerous parishes within the Catholic and Episcopalian denominations dedicated to Columba. Within the Protestant tradition the Presbyterian Church (which has its roots in Scottish Presbyterianism) also has parishes named in honour of Columba. There is even an Orthodox Church monastery dedicated to the saint in the Massachusetts town of Southbridge. St. Columba is the Patron Saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, OH. The Cathedral there is named for him. It is typical of the Roman Catholic Church claiming Columba as their own a man who knew nothing of Roman Catholicism, but they have done that with Peter so what can we expect. In the last Chapter, Columba has a premonition his own death when speaking to his attendant: This day in the Holy Scriptures is called the Sabbath, which means rest. And this day is indeed a Sabbath to me, for it is the last day of my present laborious life, and on it I rest after the fatigues of my labours; and this night at midnight, which commences the solemn Lords Day, I shall, according to the sayings of Scripture, go the way of our fathers. For already my Lord Jesus Christ deigns to invite me; and to Him, I say, in the middle of this night shall I depart, at His invitation. For so it hath been revealed to me by the Lord himself. There is much myth surrounding the life and death of Columba owing to the nature of the RCC to embellish and distort the facts to suit their own ends. Let me bless almighty God, Whose power extends over sea and land, Whose angels watch over all. Let me study sacred books to calm my soul: I pray for peace, Kneeling at heavens gates. Let me do my daily work, Gathering seaweed, catching fish, Giving food to the poor. Let me say my daily prayers, Sometimes chanting, sometimes quiet, Always thanking God. Delightful it is to live On a peaceful isle, in a quiet cell, Serving the King of kings.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 09:08:23 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015