Calendar of Northern Saints

A Calendar of Northumbrian Saints
‘Northumbrian’ to be interpreted in its widest sense

January

February

8 Elfledda Abs Whitby dgtr K Oswin
10 Trumwine Bp Abercorn
11 Caedmon Mk Whitby
12 Ethilwald H Melrose, Bp Lindisfarne
17 Finan Bp “
18 Colman Bp “
23 Boisil Ab Melrose
29 Oswald of York Bp

March

2 Chad Bp E York, Mercia
6 Billfrith H Dn Lindisfarne
Baldred H Tyninghame
7 Easterwine, Mk Wearmouth
9 Bosa Bp York
11 Oswin KM
20 Cuthbert, Bp Lindisfarne
Herbert H Derwentwater
23 Ethilwald H Inner Farne

April

24 Egbert, Mk Lindisfarne
27 Winewald Abs Beverley
29 Wilfrid younger Bp York
Swithbert Bp Frisia

May

6 Edbert, Bp Lindisfarne

7 John of Beverley, Bp Hexham

19 Alcuin, York

21 Godric, H Durham

26 Bede, Mk Jarrow

June

4 Edfrith, Mk Lindisfarne

9 Columba Ab Iona
23 Etheldreda Abs Hexham

August

5 Oswald K M
17 James Dn
22 Ethelgitha Abs Easingwold
Sigfrid Ab Wearmouth
23 Ebba, younger Abs Coldingham
25 Ebba, elder Abs Coldingham Sr., K Oswald
26 Ninian B E Whithorn
31 Aidan Ab E Lindisfarne
Cuthburga Q Abs

September

1 Drithelm H Melrose
2 Hieu Abs Hartlepool
6 Bega Abs Cumbria
Alcmund Bp Hexham
8 Ethelburga Q to Edwin
Tilbert Bp Hexham
25 Ceolfrith Ab Wearmouth

October

8 Iwi Mk Lindisfarne
10 Paulinus E York
12 Wilfrid Bp York
Edwin K
20 Acca Bp Hexham
21 Tuda Bp Hexham
26 Eata Bp Hexham

November

3 Rumwold of Romaldkirk
7 Willibrord M E Frisia
17 Hilda Abs Whitby
24 Enfleda Q to K Oswy Abs Whitby

December

14 Hybald, Ab Bardney ?

23 Frithbert Bp Hexham

Many of the above are associated with places other than that
shown. The list may not be exhaustive!

KEY
Ab/s Abbot/Abbess. H Hermit
Dn Deacon K king
E Evangelist Q Queen
M Martyr Mk Monk

*Henry and Godric, just post 1054 but very much in the Desert
Tradition

Our Lady of Chatton, our Patroness
In July 2013 an icon appeared in the catalogue of
Jim Railton, Auctioneers. Because it had been sent
regarding another item the icon was only
‘incidentally’ spotted two days before the sale. It was
viewed at once and identified as the Theotokos of
Vladimir, Russian, of early 19 th cent. provenance. It
had suffered a long period of being unloved and
needed some restoration.
As just weeks earlier the Archbishop had authorized
our Orthodox Community it was decided to acquire
the icon and to make it, with St. Oswald our
patronal icon. Nothing in God’s world happens by
accident, and we can only infer that the appearance
of the icon at this time was divinely intended for our
Community. Since then it has become clear that she
has taken our Community to her heart. Glory to
God!
Because our Community had been authorized close
to the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, it
was the obvious choice for our patronal festival.
Accordingly, at every Divine Liturgy the Patronal
Troparion of the Dormition is sung, along with that
of St Oswald, and the patronal icon (shown on the
front) is always displayed.

St Oswald, King and Martyr, our Patron
St Oswald ruled and united the kingdoms of
Northumbria after defeating the pagan Mercian
armies at Heavenfield in 633. Though he only
reigned until martyred at Oswestry in 642 it is clear
he established an era of peace, prosperity and rich
cultural activity. But above all, he famously recruited
Aidan from Iona where, in exile Oswald himself had
learned his Christianity. From this point
Northumbria learned the message of the Gospel
and missionaries were also sent to such places as
Mercia and Essex. The icon of St Oswald shown
was made in the Community in 2021. It shows him
holding a cross, the usual symbol of martyrdom, but
also green, recalling his cutting of a fresh branch
from a tree and making a cross before which all his
soldiers prayed before the battle of Heavenfield.

Bede says that this was the first cross to be set up in
Northumbria.

Contact: m.mountney47@icloud.com

The Orthodox Community of The Holy
Mother of God & St Oswald
Archdiocese of Thyyateira & Gt. Britain
meeting in

Our Lady and St Cuthbert RC Church,
64, Ravensdowne, Berwick on Tweed TD15 1DQ