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Saint Kevin and Blackbird.
Miniature of an Irish codex,
circa 9th-Century A.D. or 10th-Century.
Date: 10th-Century.
Source: www.santibeati.com
This File: 2 June 2009.
User: Bocachete.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
Kevin (Modern Irish: Caoimhín; Old Irish: Cóemgen, Caemgen; Latinised Coemgenus; 498 A.D. (reputedly) – 3 June 618 A.D.) is an Irish Saint, known as the Founder and first Abbot of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland.[1]
There is a Late-Mediæval Latin “Vita” [Editor: “Life”], preserved among the records of the Franciscan Convent in Dublin, edited by John Colgan, as part of the “Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae”.[3]
The Irish Mystic of Glendalough.
Chronicles of the Desert.
Episode 18.
Available on YouTube
According to that account, Kevin (like Columba) was of noble birth, the son of Coemlog and Coemell of Leinster. It says he was born in 498 AD at the Fort of the White Fountain and baptised by Cronan of Roscrea.
A Tradition cited in the 17th-Century makes Kevin the pupil of Petroc of Cornwall, who had come to Leinster about 492 A.D.
Glendalough, or “the Glen of Two Lakes”, is one of the most important sites of Monastic ruins in Ireland.
Saint Kevin’s Church,
Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland.
Photo: 16 June 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Warrenfish.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Before the arrival of Kevin, this Glen would have been lonely and remote and would have been ideal for a secluded retreat.
Bishop Lugidus ordained Kevin who, following his Ordination, moved on to Glendalough in order to avoid the company of his followers.
He lived as a Hermit in a partially man-made cave, now known as Saint Kevin’s Bed, to which he was led, in the account of the “Vita”, by an Angel.[7]
Kevin lived the life of a Hermit close to nature. His companions were the animals and birds around him. He lived as a Hermit for seven years, wearing only animal skins, sleeping on stones, and eating very sparingly.
He went barefoot and spent his time in Prayer. Disciples were soon attracted to Kevin and a further settlement, enclosed by a wall, called Kevin’s Cell, was established nearer the Lake shore.
By 540 A.D., Kevin’s fame as a teacher and Holy Man had spread far and wide. Many people came to seek his help and guidance. Glendalough grew into a renowned Seminary of Saints and scholars and was the parent Monastery of several other Monasteries.
In 544 A.D., Kevin went to the Hill of Uisneach, in County Westmeath, to visit the Holy Abbots, Columba, Comgall and Cannich.
Having firmly established his community, he retired into solitude for four years and only returned to Glendalough at the earnest request of his Monks.[4]
Until his death, around 618 A.D., Kevin presided over his Monastery in Glendalough, living his life by Fasting, Praying, and teaching.
The Church of Saint Kevin (Caoimhghin) contained a
well-equipped writing room which produced the Book of Glendalough in the 12th-Century (now located at Bodleian Library), Oxford.[9]
Kevin is one of the Patron Saints of the Diocese of Dublin.
He is a Member of the Second Order of Irish Saints.[4]
Kevin is one of the Patron Saints of the Diocese of Dublin.
He is a Member of the Second Order of Irish Saints.[4]
Eventually, Glendalough, with its seven Churches, became
one of the chief Pilgrimage destinations in Ireland.
Kevin of Glendalough was Canonised by Pope Pius X on
9 December 1903.
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