Celtic and Old English Saints 18 October =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Brothen and St. Gwendolen of Wales * St. Gwen of Wales * St. Gwen of Talgarth * St. Mono of Scotland * St. Selevan of Wales =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
St. Brothen and St. Gwendolen (Gwendoline) -------------------------------------------------- 6th century. Only their names and place names honouring these Welsh saints remains of their history, and the fact that they were given a public veneration in Wales. Saint Brothen is the patron of Llanbrothen in Merionethshire. Dolwyddelen and Llanwyddelan in Montgomeryshire suggest a Saint Gwendolen; this and similar names are diminutives of Gwen (meaning 'white'), equivalent to the French Blanche (Benedictines). Troparion of Ss Brothen and Gwendolen tone 1 As in your native Wales you won souls for Christ by your witness,/O Righteous Brothen and Gwendolen,/ so now in heaven intercede for us/ that our souls may be saved. St. Gwen, Abbess, Aunt of Saint David of Wales (Wenn) ----------------------------------------------------- 5th century. There are two saints of this name, both celebrated on the same day. Both lived during the same period. Saint Gwen of Wales, widow of King Selyf of Cornwall, is said to have been the sister of Saint Nonna (f.d. August 5) and, therefore, the aunt of Saint David of Wales (f.d. March 1). She is alleged to have been the mother of Saints Cyby (f.d. November 8) and Cadfan (f.d. November 1) and to have founded the church of Saint Wenn. There are a few other churches in Devon and Cornwall who may be dedicated to this saint (Benedictines, Encyclopaedia, Farmer). Troparion of St Gwen tone 4 Faithfulness was thy virtue, O pious Gwen,/ for no greater sacrifice than life itself can be made for our saving faith./ Wherefore, holy Martyr, pray to God for us/ that we too may be faithful, even unto death,/ that our souls may be saved. St. Gwen of Talgarth, Martyr, Daughter of Saint Brychan of Brecknock (Wenna, Candida, Blanche), Widow --------------------------------------------------------------- Died c. 492. The other Gwen, also a widow, is said to have been the daughter of Brychan of Brecknock (f.d. April 6) and, therefore, the sister of Saint Cledwyn (f.d. November 1) and a host of other saints. She was murdered by the heathen Saxon at Talgarth c. 492 (Benedictines, Encyclopaedia). Troparion of St Wenna tone 4 O Brychan's jewel and holy daughter, most pious Wenna,/ thou didst defy the heathen Saxons, thereby winning a martyr's crown./ Being, therefore, numbered among the saints,/ intercede for us before the Throne of Grace,/ that we may be granted great mercy. St. Mono of Scotland, Hermit in the Ardennes, Martyr (Monon) ----------------------------------- Died c. 645. Mono was an Irish monk or Scottish pilgrim who crossed over to the continent and lived as a hermit in the Ardennes, where he is highly venerated by the people. He was murdered in his cell at Nassogne (Nassau), in Belgian Luxemburg by some robber whom he had reproved. His tomb in the village at a place now encompassed by Saint Hubert's abbey was the site of many miracles. There is a church near Saint Andrew's in Scotland dedicated to him called Monon's Kirk. (Benedictines, D'Arcy, Encyclopaedia, Fitzpatrick, Husenbeth, Kenney). Troparion of St Monon tone 4 Thou hast revealed to us the treasures of solitude, O Father Monon,/ and, fearing nothing, thou didst rebuke the lawless men for their ungodliness. Wherefore, pray to God for us/ that we may have the courage to confront evil,/ even though like thee/ we thereby receive the crown of martyrdom,/ that we may be found worthy of eternal salvation. St. Selevan of Wales, Martyr -------------------------------------------------- Lives kindly supplied by: For All the Saints: http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/ss-index.htm These Lives are archived at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints *****************************************
