Changes

The Venerable [[Image:Columba of Iona.jpg|right|frame|St. Columba of Iona]]Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Columba of Iona''', Enlightener of Scotland ([[December 7]], 521 - [[June 9]], 597) (also known as '''Columcille''', meaning "Dove of the Church") was an Irish [[missionary ]] who helped re-introduce Christianity to Scotland and the north of England.

He was born to Fedhlimidh and Eithne of the Ui Neill clan A newly founded monastic community in Gartan, near Lough Gartan, Donegal. On his father's side he was great-great-grandson of Niall of the Nine HostagesUnited States, an Irish king of the fourth century. He became a [[monk]] and soon rose in the church hierarchy to the rank of [[priest]]. Tradition asserts that, sometime around 560, he became involved in a copyright wrangle with St. [[Finnian Columba of MovilleIona Orthodox Monastery (Southbridge, Massachusetts)]] over a [[psalter]]. The dispute eventually led , seeks to bring the pitched Battle of Cul Dremhe in 561, during which many men were killed. same (Columba's copy of the psalter has been traditionally associated with the Orthodox [[Cathach of St. Columbamissionary]].) As penance for these deaths, Columba was ordered zeal to make the same number shores of new converts as had been killed. He was also ordered to leave Ireland and move such that he could not see his native countrythe New World.

==Life==He travelled was born to Scotland, where it is reputed he first landed at the southern tip Fedhlimidh and Eithne of the Kintyre peninsulaUi Neill clan in Gartan, near SouthendLough Gartan, Donegal. However, being still in sight of On his native land father's side he moved further north up was great-great-grandson of Niall of the west coast Nine Hostages, an Irish king of Scotlandthe fourth century. In 563 he founded He became a [[monasterymonasticism|monk]] on and soon rose in the island church hierarchy to the rank of [[priest]]. Tradition asserts that, sometime around 560, he became involved in a copyright wrangle with St. [[Finnian of Moville]] over a [[Ionapsalter]] off . The dispute eventually led to the west coast pitched Battle of Scotland Cul Dremhe in 561, during which became many men were killed. (Columba's copy of the psalter has been traditionally associated with the centre [[Cathach of his evangelising mission St. Columba]].) As [[penance]] for these deaths, Columba was ordered to Scotlandmake the same number of new [[convert]]s as had been killed. There are many stories of miracles which He was also ordered to leave Ireland and move such that he performed during could not see his mission to convert the Pictsnative country.

[[Image:Columba_Bay.jpg|left|thumb|300px|St. Columba's Bay, where the saint first landed on [[Iona]]]]He travelled to Scotland, where it is reputed he first landed at the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, near Southend. However, being still in sight of his native land he moved further north up the west coast of Scotland. In 563 he founded a [[monastery]] on the island of [[Iona]] off the west coast of Scotland which became the centre of his evangelising [[mission]] to Scotland. Columban and his monks proclaimed the Gospel to many and founded numerous churches. They sailed to various islands and even went inland in their labors to bring people to Christ. There are many stories of miracles which he performed during his [[mission]] to convert the Picts. Columba is also the source of the first known reference to the Loch Ness Monster. According to the story, in 565 he came across a group of Picts who were burying a man killed by the monster, and brought the man back to life. In another version, he is said to have saved the man while the man was being attacked, driving away the monster with the [[sign of the cross]].

==External Links==*[[Wikipedia:Columba|Columba is not to be confused with his discipleon Wikipedia]]*[http://www.stcolumbachurch.org/Saint_Columba_Paper.cfm Saint Columba: Fact and Fiction] by Fr. Lester Michael Bundy, Professor of Religious Studies, Regis University; Pastor, Saint [http://www.stcolumbachurch.org/ St. Columba Orthodox Church]*[Columbanushttp://www.orthodox.clara.net/saint-cd.htm St. Columba (Columcille), Abbot and Missionary, (597), fd: 9 June]*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/c/rbp01.htm Icon and Story of St. Columcille of Iona]*[http://www.stcolumbamonastery.org St. Columba of Iona Orthodox Monastery Southbridge, Massachusetts]

[[Categoryro:Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints]][[Category:Missionaries]][[Category:SaintsColumba din Iona]]