Saint Kentigern (St. Mungo) (Died 13th January 603) |
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Saint Kentigern (also called St Mungo) was an illegitimate child born at Culross on the coast of Fyfe, Scotland. He was fostered by an old Christian missionary called Saint Serf who gave him the name Mungo which means 'dearest friend'. He lived in a Christian community at a time when most Scottish people were pagans. As he grew up his fellow pupils became jealous of him and made life so difficult that he eventually ran away to form his own community. |
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Culross Photograph by Brian McKelvie |
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| He stopped to help an aged saint called Fergus who died and was buried by Saint Kentigern at Glasgow (then called Cathures). A few Christians were living there at the time and persuaded Kentigern to become their bishop and to spread the Christian faith in Scotland. Kentigern founded a monastery in Glasgow and then travelled through Scotland and down to Cumbria (the Lake District) spreading the Christian faith. To this day many churches in Scotland and Cumbria are dedicated to him. |
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Culross Abbey Photograph by Brian McKelvie |
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The legends that grew up around Saint Kentigern include stories of many miracles, some of which are illustrated on the Glasgow City coat of arms. There is even the story of an encounter with King Arrthur's wizard, Merlin, who is said to have become a Christian and been baptised by Kentigern. |
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Glasgow Cathedral Photograph by Mike Strange |
| Saint Kentigern died on 13th January 603 and he is remembered on this day each year by a service in Glasgow Cathredral, where his tomb was once a place of pilgrimage. |
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Saint Kentigern's tomb, Glasgow Cathedral Photograph by Mike Strange |
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