This coming Sunday is the feast day of St Aidan of Lindisfarne. Whilst it is not usual to celebrate saints’ days on a Sunday (as the Resurrection of Our Lord of course takes precedence) we feel it is important to acknowledge this remarkable man. He came over from Ireland in 635 AD, when Oswald, who had converted to Christianity when in exile on Iona, regained the throne of Northumbria from Mercian invaders. He requested help in the work of conversion; the first monk sent was very severe and didn’t like the Saxons whom he considered uncivilised, and then Aidan was sent. He had a reputation for discretion and prudence. Oswald gave him the island of Lindisfarne close to the royal palace of Bamburgh, and from there Aidan founded churches and monasteries, liberated Anglo-Saxon slave boys and educated them for the Church. He also encouraged monastic practices in the laity, such as fasting and meditation on the scriptures. When Oswald died in 642 AD, Aidan supported King Oswin of Deira and became a personal friend of his. He retired to Inner Farne in Lent 651 AD and from there saw Bamburgh being burnt by Penda, King of Mercia, though some of the palace was preserved as Aidan prayed for the wind to change and it did! He died on 31 August of that year at Bamburgh and was buried on Lindisfarne. The Venerable Bede wrote very warmly about Aidan, more than about any other saint, because of his love of prayer, study, and his care for the sick and the poor.

Come and join us either in person or on the livestream, as we celebrate this remarkable saint! All are welcome!