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Dewi (David) was a monk and bishop in the sixth century. He founded a monastery at Menevia, and was later Bishop there. He was famous for his kindness and compassion, and care for the poor and the sick. He was buried at Menevia, where the cathedral of St David's now stands.
God our Father,
you gave Saint David to the people of Wales
to uphold the faith:
encouraged by his example,
may we joyfully hold fast to the things
which lead to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Exciting Holiness, p109)
The Wesleys were high churchmen who, as students, developed a keen interest in a principled ordering of their study and devotions. After ordination they became itinerant priests, developing a methodical approach to the study and practice of the faith, which led their followers to be called 'Methodists'. This was a movement within the Church of England, but gradually it developed a life of its own. It is however very important as a movement of revival in the Church of England of its day.
The break with the Church of England became complete when John, frustrated at the lack of provision of clergy for the American colonies due to the British government's insistence on controlling the church of England in America from London, ordained a bishop for America, clearly breaking the rules of the church's ordering of bishops, priests and deacons. If he had waited a short time, things might have been very different, since a few years later Samuel Seabury, was consecrated bishop for the Episcopal church of the United States in Aberdeen.
Charles Wesley was the author of some 5,000 hymns, a significant number of which are still in use in our services today.
Probably a disciple of Kentigern, and may have succeeded him as Bishop of Glasgow. Most of his ministry was carried out from the Bass rock, and he was known as the apostle of East Lothian. He died on this day in 608.
Perpetua and her companions were martyred in 203. They were first thrown to wild animals in the arena, but having survived that, they were executed by the sword. They had been arrested as catechumens, and were baptised and received first communion in prison. They were renowned among the Christian congregations of their time for their courage.
Was Bishop of Ross in the 11th century, much revered for his compassion for the faithful, and especially for the poor. He was known as the saint most venerated in Ross. His relics were kept at Tain, which became a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
Initially an academic, he became Bishop of Lincoln in 1885. He was a follower of the Oxford Movement, and was known for his advocacy of Catholic principles in the Church of England. He was however also a most faithful pastor of his people, and revered for this across the whole church.
Kessog has been remembered as a missionary bishop who worked among the Picts in the area around Loch Lomond. He is said to have been martyred near Luss around 700.
Almighty God, who gave your servant Kessog courage to confess Jesus Christ and to die for this faith: may we always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is inus, and to suffer gladly for his sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and for ever. Amen. (Scottish Liturgy Part 3 p51)
Boniface, probably of Italian origin, is linked with two ? Christian sites in Scotland: Restenneth in Angus, where he founded a monastery following the roman rite ( and baptised the Pictish king in 710), and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, where he founded another monastery of the Roman rite. His dates are otherwise not known.
God of love, shepherd of your people, we thank you for your servant Boniface of ross, who was faithful in the care and nurture of your flock. Taught by the example of his holy life, may we by grace grow into the full stature of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and for ever. Amen. (Scottish Liturgy Part 3 p55)
Patrick was born around 390 towards the end of the Roman Empire in Britain. Just where is a matter of doubt, proposed birthplaces ranging from Dumbarton to Cornwall. That he should have emerged from Strathclyde has maintained his place as a saint whose celebration is a red-letter day (Feast) in Scotland. However, recent opinion favours somewhere near Carlisle as the place of his birth. It is known that he was captured by Irish raiders when he was sixteen and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped after six years and seems to have gone to Europe. After returning to his own family, he then returned to Gaul to train as a priest, and was much influenced in his view of monasticism by St Martin of Tours. He returned as Bishop to Ireland, where he was tireless in his evangelising of the country. His work, and the monastic establishments he left, are considered to have been the foundation of the practice of Christianity in Ireland.
Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people: keep alive in us the fire of the faith he kindled and strengthen us in our pilgrimage towards the light of everlasting life: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and for ever. Amen. (Scottish Liturgy Part 3 p5)
Born around 315, became Bishop of Jerusalem around 359. Best remembered now for his Mystagogic Cathecheses, or lectures for those preparing for baptism and confirmation. Was a stalwart defender of the propositions about the Christian faith contained in the declarations of the Council of Nicaea, now most easily accessed in the creed bearing that name (though the version we use today is a slightly amended version which emerged from the Council of Constantinople a few years later).
Almighty God, who through the teaching of your servant Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem, enlightened and enabled all your Church to understand the truth in Jesus Christ, raise up among us teachers of your word, that we, set free by truth from unbelief, may come to know your great salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.(Scottish Liturgy Part 3 p53)
Received an annunciation about the birth of Jesus while still betrothed to Mary. As her husband was the guardian of Jesus in his childhood and early years. Said to have been descended from the line of King David.
God, from the family of your servant David you raised yup Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son. Give us grace to follow him in faithful obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. (Scottish Liturgy Part 3 p6)
Born in the Scottish lowlands around 640. Professed as a monk at Melrose. Began missionary work from there, and finished up as Abbot of Lindisfarne. Consecrated bishop in 685. Revered in North-east England as a Father of the faith for that community.
Almighty God, who called your servant Cuthbert from the tending of sheep to become a shepherd of souls: Grant that all whom you call to serve you may hear your voice and answer; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. (Cloud of Witnesses p55)
Born in Nottinghamshire in 1489, Cranmer was recruited for the diplomatic service from his Cambridge years. Was part of the team working on the divorce papers of Henry VIII. Later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Best remembered for his liturgical work, in preparing the Prayer Books of 1549 and 1552 and the 1550 Ordinal. During the reign of Queen Mary Cranmer was convicted first of treason for his support of the cause of Lady Jane Grey, and then of heresy; and was burned at the stake in 1556.
Father of all mercies, who through the work of your servant Thomas Cranmer renewed the worship of your Church and through his death revealed your strength in human weakness: by your grace strengthen us to worship you in spirit and in truth and so to come to the joys of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. (Exciting Holiness p126)
Born 1637, educated at New College, Oxford. Priest 1662, worked in the Winchester diocese for 10 years. Bevame chaplain of King Charles II. Then Bishop of Bath and Wells. Imprisoned by James II for his refusal to consent to the rescindment of penal laws against dissenters and recusants, but, when the same king was removed from the throne to be replace by William and Mary, he became, like the Scottish bishops, a non-juror, and was deprived of his see. Many of his hymns are still in use. He died on 19 March 1711.
O God, from whom all blessings flow, by whose providence we are kept and by whose grace we are directed: help us, through the example of your servant Thomas Ken, faithfully to keep your word, humbly to accept adversity and steadfastly to worship you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. (Exciting Holiness p235)
Worked indefatigably towards the reunion of Christendom. Was responsible for a localised observance in the roman Catholic church in the United States becoming universalised across the Christian Churches as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed now from the Feast of the Confession of Peter (18 January) to that of the Conversion of St Paul (25 January). Also wrote a moving and very influential Ecumenical Testament.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, 'Peace I give to you, my own peace I leave with you.' Regard not our sins but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen. (Scottish Liturgy Part 3, p43)
Donne, one of the greatest of poets in English, was born around 1571 and brought up in a Recusant (Roman Catholic) family. He was a great-nephew of St Thomas More. Had an excellent academic career at oxford and also Cambridge and abroad, and became part of the 'civil service' of the time for the reign of Elizabeth. Lost his post due to his amorous inclinations, and married his beloved - a marriage which inspired some of the best poetry in the English language. Was eventually persuaded to take orders in the Church of England, and became Dean of St Paul's. Wrote some of the best sermons in the library of Anglican sermons; and simultaneously wrote some of the best religious poetry in English, the highest point of which are his 'Holy Sonnets'. The prayer below, from the Church in Wales, begins with the first line of one of them:
Batter our hearts, three-personed God, that we, who have been overthrown by our sins, may at the last rise with your servant John Donne, and sing with him the wonders of your love; where you live and reign, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God for ever. Amen. (Exciting Holiness p147)