On 31 August the Church remembers Saint Aidan, Bishop, known as the Northern Missionary and first Abbot of Lindisfarne – also known as Holy Island.

But who was Saint Aidan?

Aidan was a monk of Irish origin and Celtic faith. He lived at the monastery in Iona, and was sent to Northumbria in answer to a request from the King of Northumbria, Oswald, for missionaries. Iona was the powerhouse of Celtic Christianity and the principal monastery of the Irish and Picts.

Aidan was chosen to lead the second group of missionaries to Northumbria. The first mission was under the leadership of a severe bishop who returned home complaining of the uncouthness of the people. Aidan was given the island of Lindisfarne by King Oswald, and was consecrated bishop in 635.

Aiden travelled widely on the mainland, often in the company of Oswald, who initially acted as his interpreter. He is recorded as being a man of charity, miracles and kindness.

We learn much of Aidan’s life from Bede, who writes of him with praise and affection and states simply that Aidan was held in high regard because he lived as he taught. He introduced monastic values of penance and prayer to his converts, celebrated Easter according to the ancient Celtic date and tradition, and established monasteries as centres of faith and education. As such, Aidan is the supreme example of the passion and power of Celtic Christianity.

After the death of Oswald at the hands of Penda, the pagan ruler of Mercia, Aidan continued to evangelize the region, aided by more monks from the monastery at Iona. He supported King Oswin of Deira, and continued to enjoy freedom to preach and travel.

During his time Christianity was firmly rooted in Northumbria, and Lindisfarne established as a leading monastic base. A representative of the Celtic tradition, Irish by birth, Scottish by education and monastic by formation, Aidan Christianized Northern England, and established Celtic Christianity as a credible force, which Bede acknowledges [Aidan] loved to give away to the poor who chanced to meet him whatever he received from kings or wealthy folk.

Whether in town or country, he always travelled on foot unless compelled by necessity to ride; and whatever people he met on his walks, whether high or low, he stopped and spoke to them. If they were heathen, he urged them to be baptized; and if they were Christians, he strengthened their faith, and inspired them by word and deed to live a good life and to be generous to others. Bede: Ecclesiastical History, III.5

Prayer of Saint Aidan

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
alone with you, God, holy to you.
Then with the turning of the tide
prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,
the world that rushes in on me
till the waters come again and fold me back to you.
Amen.

Revd Paul A. Carr and extract from Saints on Earth: A biographical companion to Common Worship by John H Darch and Stuart K Burns