'''Iona''', population 175, is a small island (1 mile wide, 3.5 miles long) of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, famous for the [[monastery]] founded by St [[Columba of Iona]] and as the centre of the Christianisation of Scotland.  

In 563 St. [[Columba of Iona]], exiled from his native Ireland, founded a [[monastery]] here, and from here Orthodox Christianity spread to the rest of Scotland. Numerous martyrs and other saints were produced from Iona, including not only St. Columba but also St. [[Aidan of Lindisfarne]] and others. Many believe that the [[Book of Kells]] was produced on Iona at this time. The monastery survived until the Protestant Reformation.

Iona also became the burial site for the kings of Dalriada [[w:Dál Riata|Dál Riata]] and their successors, the early kings of Scotland.

==The Modern Eraera==

In 1938 the Church of Scotland Minister George MacLeod founded the Iona Community, an "ecumenical" Christian community of men and women from different walks of life and different traditions in the Christian church that is committed to seeking new ways of living the gospel of Jesus Christ in today's world. This community is a leading force in the present "Celtic Christianity" revival (which unfortunately often has more to do with New Age spirituality and neo-Paganism than with ancient Orthodox Christianity among Despite its ecumenical scope, the Celts). The Community, which has care of the abbey, is primarily affiliated with the [http://www.scotlandchurchofscotland.anglicanorg.orguk/ Scottish Episcopal Churchof Scotland] (part , to whose General Assembly it reports annually. It has care of the Anglican Communion)abbey.

Iona Abbey The community is of particular historical doctrinally liberal, strongly committed to working for social justice and religious interest to pilgrimsproduces much contemporary Celtic Christian material through its [http://ionabooks.com/ Wild Goose] arm. Such material, however, and also of note is Iona Nunnery, a site of 13th century ruins and a colourful gardensometimes at wide variance with Orthodox Christianity (e.g. Iona is popular among visitors for in its tranquility and natural beauty. Its geographical features include the ''Bay at frequent avoidance of the Back [[Holy Trinity|Trinitarian]] name of the Ocean'' Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the ''Hill its replacement with His Back to Irelandeconomic descriptions of divine action, such as 'Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier'). This said, said to be adjacent to the beach where St. Columba landedcommunity is not tied up with any form of neo-pagan Celtic religion.

Iona Abbey is of particular historical and religious interest to pilgrims, and also of note is Iona Nunnery, a site of 13th century ruins and a colourful garden. Iona is popular among visitors for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is often described by Iona community members as a 'thin' place, at which God is less hidden than in the city. Its geographical features include the ''Bay at the Back of the Ocean'' and the ''Hill with His Back to Ireland'', said to be adjacent to the beach where St Columba landed. ==Friends of Orthodoxy and on Iona Today==

In 1997, [http://www.orthodox-iona.co.uk/ Friends of Orthodoxy on Iona] was founded, being the 1400th anniversary of the repose of St. [[Columba of Iona]]. They are an informal group (of friends who go on pilgrimage together who are mainly composed of Orthodox Christians from across the British Isles (but also welcoming Christians of other traditionsincreasingly a growing proportion are from the USA, Canada, and European countries such as Germany, Russia and Greece) which organizes .  The Friends have organised pilgrimages to Iona and related holy other Columban sites in the British Islessuch as Donegal (the birthplace of St Columba); Columban sites in Strathclyde; and to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) which had close links with Iona.  The Chairman of the Friends is Metropolitan [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia]] and the friends have the blessing of many of the ruling hierarchs.

Their chairman is Bishop ==See also==* [[Kallistos (Ware) Abbot of DiokleiaIona]], who often leads the pilgrimages, and they have counted among their patrons Metropolitan * [[Anthony (Bloom) Friends of SourozhOrthodoxy on Iona]] until his repose in 2003 == External links ==*[http://www.orthodoxiona.com/ Friends of Orthodoxy on Iona]*[http://www.cushnieent.force9.co.uk/CelticEra/celtic_abbsiona.htm Abbots of Iona]*[http://www.iona-orthodox-retreats.org.uk/ Orthodox Christian informal retreat weeks on Iona]