Saint Adamnan of Coldingham
Saint Adamnan of Coldingham (also known as Adamnan the Monk or Adomnán of Coldingham; fl. 7th century AD) was an Irish monk who lived as a member of the monastic community of Coldingham in Berwickshire (present-day southeastern Scotland), a double monastery for monks and nuns that was associated with Saint Ebba the Elder. He is distinct from the far more celebrated Saint Adamnan of Iona and is a minor figure known primarily through a brief anecdote preserved by the Venerable Bede in his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum.
According to Bede (Book IV, chapter 25), Adamnan of Coldingham was an Irish monk of exemplary piety at Coldingham who was struck with remorse for the sins of his youth. He imposed a severe penitential regime on himself — fasting from all food except a little bread and water every other day — and persevered in this penance for the rest of his life. Bede records him as an example of devout penitence. Beyond this brief account, no further details of his life are available.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Adamnan Of Coldingham
| Saint Adamnan of Coldingham | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Monk; penitent |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Irish and Northumbrian Christianity; Catholic Church |
| Attributes | Monk's habit; bread and water (symbols of his penitential fast) |
| Birthplace | Ireland (precise location unknown) |
| Death Place | Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; confessor monk |
| Liturgical Class | Not included |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
The birth date and birthplace of Saint Adamnan of Coldingham cannot be confirmed from available historical sources. He was an Irishman by origin — one of the many Irish monks who crossed to northern Britain in the seventh century as part of the great tide of Irish peregrination (voluntary exile for Christ).
Early Life
No details of his early life in Ireland are preserved. According to Bede's account, Adamnan was conscious of sins committed in his youth, which motivated the severe penitential practice he undertook at Coldingham.
Occupation
Saint Adamnan was a monk of the double monastery of Coldingham, governed by the abbess Saint Ebba the Elder (a Northumbrian princess who had founded the community around 640 AD on the headland above the North Sea).
Vocation
His vocation was expressed primarily through his heroic penitential practice. According to Bede, he imposed on himself the rule of eating only bread and water every other day (i.e., fasting completely on alternate days), and he maintained this regime for many years until his death. Bede presents him as an example of the virtue of doing penance for the sins of one's past life.
Death
The date of Saint Adamnan of Coldingham's death is not recorded. He died at Coldingham, presumably sometime in the late seventh century.
Saint Adamnan of Coldingham met his end at Coldingham, having spent his monastic life in penitential prayer and fasting.
Significant events
- Irish monk who came to Coldingham monastery in Berwickshire, Scotland.
- Undertook severe penitential fasting for sins of his youth; fasted every other day for many years.
- Recorded by the Venerable Bede as an example of Christian penitence.
- Died at Coldingham; commemorated in local Scottish tradition.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland
Notable location: Site of the monastery where he lived and did penance (Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland)
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Adamnan of Coldingham have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
No shrines formally dedicated to Saint Adamnan of Coldingham have been identified in available sources.
Canonization
Servant of God
Recognized by ancient local tradition and Bede's testimony.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Recognized through ancient tradition.
Miracles
No miracles are attributed to Saint Adamnan of Coldingham.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
No specific miracles are recorded.
Patronage
No formal patronage has been assigned to Saint Adamnan of Coldingham.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Adamnan of Coldingham has not been universally established.
Veneration
Saint Adamnan of Coldingham is a minor figure venerated in local Scottish tradition, known through Bede's brief but vivid account of his penitential life.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
- Bede. Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, Book IV, chapter 25. Primary source.
Written by the saint
- No writings by Saint Adamnan of Coldingham have been identified.
External links
References
- Bede. Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum. Edited by Bertram Colgrave and R. A. B. Mynors. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1969.