St. Aidan
Aidan was an Irish monk and missionary. He is famous for bringing Christianity to Northumbria, England. Aidan started a monastery on the island of Lindisfarne which became known as Lindisfarne Priory. He was its first bishop. Aidan travelled through the countryside, sharing the Christian message with everyone. He spoke to both important leaders, ordinary people and children.
Aidan’s Early Life and Mission
Aidan was born around the year 590 in Ireland. Before Aidan’s mission, Christianity in Britain was fading away.
Oswald became King of Northumbria in 634 and he wanted to bring Christianity back to his people. Aidan was chosen to go to Northumbria and begin his mission, bringing Christianity back to the people of Northumbria.
Aidan’s Early Life and Mission
Aidan was born around the year 590 in Ireland. Before Aidan’s mission, Christianity in Britain was fading away.
Oswald became King of Northumbria in 634 and he wanted to bring Christianity back to his people. Aidan was chosen to go to Northumbria and begin his mission, bringing Christianity back to the people of Northumbria.
Spreading Christianity
Aidan worked closely with King Oswald. He was a very inspiring missionary who would walk from village to village, talking kindly and patiently to people. He showed interest in people’s loves. Aidan slowly got them interested in Christianity. He would first share simple ideas, then help them understand deeper truths. This way, he slowly brought Christianity back to Northumbria.
During his time as a missionary, Aidan built many churches, monasteries, and schools. Aidan chose the island of Lindisfarne for his main church.
Aidan was also known for his great kindness and care for those in need. For example, he often gave orphans a place to live, food, and an education. He also used money he received to buy the freedom of people who had been unfairly enslaved. He would talk to everyone he met, rich or poor. Aidan never kept money given to him by rich people. He always gave it to the poor.
The monastery Aidan founded on Lindisfarne grew very important. It helped start other churches and religious places. It also became a centre for learning and knowledge. Many young people were trained there to become priests.
Aidan’s Legacy
After Aidan died, he was buried at Lindisfarne, under the monastery he helped build. He’s relics were later removed, and his tomb can now be found at St Aidan’s Church in Bamburgh.
Aidan’s feast day is celebrated on August 31, the day he died.
St. Aidan’s Pilgrimage to Lindisfarne
Recently we took the whole school on a pilgrimage to visit Lindisfarne, Holy Island. This was an opportunity for our children to learn about the life and work of St. Aidan and the Lindisfarne monastery that he established when he was working to spread Christianity through Northumberland.
The children were able to see first-hand the places that Aidan lived and worked. They had the opportunity to visit the Priory and the statue of St Aidan, as well as enjoy the many other experiences that Holy Island has to offer.
Our oldest children visited St Cuthbert’s Island and took part in a liturgy reflecting on their journey through St. Aidan’s school and the experiences and opportunities they have shared.
Finally, the whole school joined together in Collective Worship led by Reverend Hannah, reflecting on the wonderful work that Aidan did to bring Christianity to Northumberland. The children were encouraged to reflect on the qualities of St. Aidan’s and the values that we share as a school.
