Saint Acca of Hexham
Saint Acca of Hexham (born c. 660 AD in Northumbria, England; died October 20, 740 AD in Hexham, Northumberland, England) was the Bishop of Hexham from 709 to 732 AD and a close friend and collaborator of Saint Bede the Venerable. He was a great collector of books and relics, a builder of churches, and the patron and inspirer of Bede's biblical commentaries. His feast day is October 20.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Acca of Hexham
| Saint Acca of Hexham | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 20 |
| Profession | Benedictine monk; Bishop of Hexham (709–732 AD); patron of Saint Bede; book collector; relic collector; church builder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Church of England (venerated at Hexham); Northumbrian Christianity; 8th-century English church; patron of Bede; Hexham episcopal tradition |
| Patronage | Hexham; Northumbria; biblical scholars; those who support learning; church builders; collectors of sacred art and relics |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; a book (his patronage of Bede); cross-shafts (the Hexham carved crosses); Hexham Abbey in background; relics or sacred objects; Saint Bede as his companion/scholar |
| Birthplace | Northumbria, England |
| Death Place | Hexham, Northumberland, England |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died October 20, 740 AD, in Hexham; he had been bishop for approximately 23 years until being expelled from his see in 732 AD (the reason is uncertain — possibly a political dispute or involvement in a rebellion); he was restored to Hexham before his death; he died highly venerated and was buried at Hexham Cathedral; his tomb became a pilgrimage site |
| Primary Shrine | Hexham Priory (Hexham Abbey), Northumberland — his burial place; the carved cross-shafts in the abbey museum; October 20 feast; Church of England and Catholic veneration |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); October 20; Feast at Hexham |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed locally |
Biography
Acca was born c. 660 AD in Northumbria. He entered the service of Saint Bosa of York and then traveled with Saint Wilfrid on his journeys to Rome and Frisia. He was Wilfrid's companion and disciple for many years and succeeded him as Bishop of Hexham in 709 AD after Wilfrid's death.
As Bishop of Hexham he adorned the cathedral, collected relics and books, and became the principal patron of Saint Bede the Venerable. Bede dedicated more than a dozen biblical commentaries to Acca, and their correspondence is one of the important intellectual relationships of early English Christianity.
He was expelled from his see in 732 AD for reasons that are uncertain; he was restored before his death on October 20, 740 AD.
The carved cross-shafts near his tomb at Hexham are among the finest examples of 8th-century Northumbrian stone carving. The Hexham Abbey Museum preserves them.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Northumbria, England
Death location: Hexham, Northumberland, England
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Hexham Priory — his burial place; 8th-century carved cross-shafts in the abbey museum.
Feast day
October 20
Veneration
Saint Acca of Hexham was Bishop of Hexham and the principal patron of Saint Bede the Venerable, to whom he inspired more than a dozen biblical commentaries. He adorned Hexham with relics, books, and sacred art. Feast October 20.
Prayers
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