An outstanding candidate for the role of UK patron saint is, I believe, Aidan, the 7th-century Christian missionary bishop who embodies both the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon strains in our national identity.<\/p>\n
Originally from Ireland, he was a monk in the Scottish monastery that Columba founded on Iona, from where he was called by Oswald, ruler of the English kingdom of Northumbria, to promote Christianity. He established his episcopal see on the island of Lindisfarne, where he also set up a monastery in 635.<\/p>\n
Aidan was a person of deep and genuine humility, described by the early church historian Bede as \u201ca man of outstanding gentleness, devotion and moderation\u201d. He upbraided a monk of \u201cmuch harsher disposition\u201d, who had first been chosen to evangelise the Northumbrians but had no success, for being too hectoring in his approach.<\/p>\n
When a subsequent king, Oswin, gave Aidan a fine horse, he gave it away to the first beggar that he met, preferring to go round his extensive diocese on foot. In Bede\u2019s words: \u201cWhenever he met anyone, whether high or low, he spoke to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a> (subscription).<\/p>\n August 31st is the feast of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, \u201cthe Apostle of Northumbria\u201d: Irish monk of Iona, missionary to Bernicia, founder-Bishop of Lindisfarne, adviser to King Saints Oswald and Oswine, wonderworker, and Confessor of the Faith\u2014who died on this day in A.D. 651. pic.twitter.com\/wxKsay0wry<\/a><\/p>\n — Tradical (@NoTrueScotist) August 31, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n