St Aidan
St. Aidan was a 7th Century Irish monk living in a monastery on the Scottish island of Iona who was invited to Lindisfarne in Northumbria on the east coast of Britain by King Oswald in the year 635.
Aidan replaced a previous missionary who considered the people too stubborn to be converted to Christianity. His gentleness, humble demeanor, dedication and good example influenced those among whom he walked and talked to consider accepting Christ.
He was consecrated bishop in 635 and continued his missionary work throughout the area. He was responsible for educating twelve boys who later became church leaders and carried on the work of evangelism. An oft repeated story about his character recalls that the king gave Aidan a horse to help him on his missionary journeys but Aidan in turn gave it to a beggar who needed it more. Aidan was a friend to king and peasant alike. He died on August 31, 651 and is remembered that day in the church calendar.
Aidan replaced a previous missionary who considered the people too stubborn to be converted to Christianity. His gentleness, humble demeanor, dedication and good example influenced those among whom he walked and talked to consider accepting Christ.
He was consecrated bishop in 635 and continued his missionary work throughout the area. He was responsible for educating twelve boys who later became church leaders and carried on the work of evangelism. An oft repeated story about his character recalls that the king gave Aidan a horse to help him on his missionary journeys but Aidan in turn gave it to a beggar who needed it more. Aidan was a friend to king and peasant alike. He died on August 31, 651 and is remembered that day in the church calendar.
St Hilda
St. Hilda was a 7th Century nun contemporary with St. Aidan who invited her when she was 33 to found a double monastery (one for men, one for women) in Northumbria on the eastern coast of Britain. She later founded the double monastery at Whitby. Hilda came from a well-to-do family whose father was murdered . She consequently grew up in the court of King Edwin. The king was baptized on Easter Sunday April 12, 627 along with all his court and Hilda who was 13 years of age at the time.
As an Abbess, Hilda was known for her energy, kindness, and wisdom and was spiritual advisor to prince and pauper alike. Her monasteries were vibrant places of learning characterized by Bible study and good works. Five men from her monasteries eventually became bishops. The Synod of Whitby was held in 664 at her monastery where Roman practices (including the dating of Easter) were chosen over Celtic ones. Hilda died in 680 and her feast day is remembered on either November 17 or November 18.
As an Abbess, Hilda was known for her energy, kindness, and wisdom and was spiritual advisor to prince and pauper alike. Her monasteries were vibrant places of learning characterized by Bible study and good works. Five men from her monasteries eventually became bishops. The Synod of Whitby was held in 664 at her monastery where Roman practices (including the dating of Easter) were chosen over Celtic ones. Hilda died in 680 and her feast day is remembered on either November 17 or November 18.