Celtic Saints for January 9 (SAINT FILLAN'S DAY)

[Celtic Daily]

St. Faolan (Fillan), Abbot of Strathfillan, Scotland,
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Also 19 January. Son of Saint Kentigerna, Hermit of Loch Lomond. Monk.
Hermit, living most of his life in prayer near the Saint Andrew
Monastery. Built a church at Gledochart. For centuries after his death,
the mentally ill were miraculously cured by being dipped in a fountain
in the church.



St. Adrian of Canterbury, Abbot
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Born in Africa; died at Canterbury, England, January 9, 710.

Saint Adrian became abbot at Nerida near Naples, Italy. Upon the death
of Saint Deusdedit, the archbishop of Canterbury (England), Pope Saint
Vitalian chose Adrian to replace the bishop because of his great
learning and piety. Adrian seemed to be the perfect leader for a nation
new in its Christianity. Yet Adrian demurred saying that he was not
fitted for such a great dignity. He said that he would find someone else
more suited for the task.

The first substitute was too ill to become archbishop. Again the pope
urged the post on Adrian. Again Adrian begged permission to find someone
else. At that time a Greek monk from Tarsus named Theodore was in Rome.
Adrian nominated Theodore to the pope. Theodore was willing to become
archbishop of Canterbury, but only if Adrian agreed to come to England
and help him. Adrian readily consented to this compromise. It was agreed
that Adrian would accompany Theodore to England as his assistant and
adviser. On March 26, 668, Theodore was consecrated archbishop of
Canterbury and two months later the two set sail for England.

They were a perfect team. Theodore appointed Adrian abbot of SS Peter
and Paul abbey, afterward called Saint Augustine's, at Canterbury, where
he taught Greek and Latin for 39 years. Here Adrian's learning and
virtues were best employed. In addition to these languages, Adrian
taught poetry, astronomy and math, as well as Scripture and virtue.

Into the minds of his students, Adrian "poured the waters of wholesome
knowledge day by day," according to the Venerable Bede. The school
became famous for its teaching and trained such as Saints Aldhelm and
Oftfor. Bede records that Saint Adrian was 'very learned in the Holy
Scriptures, very experienced in administering the church and the
monastery, and a great Greek and Latin scholar.' He also is said to have
commented that some of Adrian's students spoke Latin and Greek equally
as well as their native languages.

The abbot also helped the archbishop in his pastoral undertakings. There
can be no doubt that the flourishing of the English Church in Theodore's
time owed much to Adrian.

Adrian was known for miracles that helped students in trouble with their
masters, and miracles were associated with his tomb in Saint Augustine's
Church (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopaedia, Gill,
Walsh, White).


St. Brithwald, Abbot
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(also known as Beorhtweald, Berctuald, Bertwald, Brihtwald) Died 731.
Saint Berhtwald was an Anglo-Saxon, probably educated at Canterbury, who
became a monk and later abbot of Reculver in Kent. He was elected
archbishop of Canterbury in 692 upon the death of Saint Theodore and was
consecrated at Lyons by its Archbishop Godwin. Saint Bede describes him
as learned in Scripture and ecclesiastical and monastic sciences,
although far inferior to his predecessor in the see.

During his 37-year reign in that see, he was in correspondence with
Saints Boniface, Aldhelm, and Wilfrid. In 703, Berhtwald presided over
the synod of Austerfield (West Yorkshire), which decreed that Wilfrid
should resign his see of York, accept virtual deposition and
confinement, and give up his monasteries (Peterborough, Brixworth,
Evesham, and Wing). Despite Wilfrid's appeal to the pope for
reinstatement, Berhtwald remained adamant until a compromise was reached
in 705 at the Synod of the River Nidd, during which it was agreed that
Saint John of Beverley would continue as bishop of York, while Wilfrid
would govern Hexham and resume control of his monasteries.

Berhtwald's cultus was never very widespread. His feast was only ever
celebrated at Saint Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, where he was buried
(Benedictines, Farmer).


Sent out at approximately midnight G.M.T.

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