A Prayer for Saint Aidan’s Day

titusonenine ^ | 8/31/2005 | Kendall Harmon

[sionnsar]

O loving God, who didst call thy servant Aidan from the peace of a cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England, and didst endow him with gentleness, simplicity, and strength: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may use what thou hast given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.

Saint Bede said of him:

“”He neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distributing immediately to the poor whatever was given him by kings or rich men of the world. He traversed both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity. Wherever on his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he invited them, if pagans, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, he sought to strengthen them in their faith and stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works.”

Somehow appropriate given the Gulf Coast catastrophe.

[sionnsar]

St. Aidan of Lindisfarne, Bishop
TexAnglican, 8/31/2005

Aidan lived not as a prince bishop but as a simple monk, with an austerity difficult for us to imagine. He gave away almost every gift he was given, simply because someone else needed it, and he insisted that others -- including King Oswald -- be just as generous. As Aidan grew older and found traveling on foot more difficult, Oswald gave him a horse from the royal stables.

Aidan was overjoyed, and rode out on his journey. A half mile down the road he saw a beggar and gave him the horse, elaborate saddle and bridle included, and then continued on foot. When Aidan returned, Oswald was furious, asking, "Why that particular horse? Couldn't you at least have asked for an ordinary horse to give the man?" Aidan retorted, "Do you care for for the child of a mare than for a child of God?" Oswald cast off his sword and knelt in repentance.

For more information on St. Aidan, see the article here.

[sionnsar]

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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[Kolokotronis]

His feast day is today! I have a special devotion to +Aidan. Thanks so much for this post!

Troparion of St Aidan (tone 5)
O holy Bishop Aidan,/ Apostle of the North and light of the Celtic Church,/ glorious in humility,/ noble in poverty,/ zealous monk and loving missionary,/ intercede for us sinners/ that Christ our God may have mercy on our souls.

Kontakion of St Aidan (tone 2)
Thou didst teach and preserve Christ's doctrine/ and didst spread the faith throughout Northumbria, O holy Hierarch Aidan./ Unceasingly pray to God for us/ for thou dost worship before His throne for ever.

[sionnsar]

Yes it is, thank you, you're welcome, and welcome back!

[Honorary Serb]

Aidan is a great Western Orthodox saint!!!

[Honorary Serb]

There was an article on Aidan and the Celtic Orthodox Church in the Lutheran Forum a couple of issues ago.

I am not the only Lutheran who realizes our Orthodox heritage.

[lightman]

Thanks for the ping.

Aidan has survived "the cut" and still will be on the calendar of Renewing Worship, although sharing the Commemoration with Columba and Bede the Venerable on June 9.

Alas, John Bunyan, Commemorated today in the LBW did not survive. Must have something to do with not wanting to upset the Anglicans now that we have CCM...can't be celebrating someone they imprisioned in the 17th Century, even if his book was the second most widely read in the English speaking world.

[Unam Sanctam]

Aidan is a great Western Orthodox saint!!!

Ahem, we Catholics claim him also!