ST. CUTHBERT (MARCH 20TH)

 

“King Egfrid and Bishop Trumwine Persuade Cuthbert to Be Made Bishop”, 1856, by William Bell Scott

By Bp. Joseph Boyd

Today we remember the mighty witness of St. Cuthbert, Wonderworker of Lindisfarne - 

St. Cuthbert was a Bishop in the Celtic North Country of Northumbria from 684-687AD, renowned for his fasting, effectual prayer, and miracle-working on behalf of the people in the Name of Jesus Christ. 

He is also known through his Gospel Book, which was buried with him and preserved with his incorrupt relics, bringing down the earliest edition of a Celtic Bible into the Modern age, showing many Syriac and Coptic influences that are still not fully understood. 

While disinterred during the reign of Henry VIII and buried, in an attempt to eradicate the veneration of relics, he was uncovered again in the Victorian era and returned to a place of honor in Durham Cathedral, where he now rests with many famous Celtic saints. 

 

The Collect 

Almighty God, who called your servant Cuthbert from following the flock to follow your Son and to be a shepherd of your people: in your mercy, grant that we, following his example, may bring those who are lost home to your fold; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen