12 - Life of Saint Columba Apostle of Scotland by Frances Alice Forbes

Discover the captivating life of Saint Columba, the Irish abbot and missionary who played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity in Scotland as we know it today. Born in 521 and living until 597, Columbas influence has been profound and lasting. He established the influential Iona Abbey, a beacon of faith and politics for many centuries. Known as the Patron Saint of Derry, he was esteemed by both the Gaels of D√°l Riata and the Picts. To this day, he is celebrated as a Christian saint and one of Irelands Twelve Apostles. Dive into his early years, where he studied under leading church figures in Ireland and founded several monasteries. Follow him in 563 as he journeyed with his twelve companions to Dunaverty near Southend, Argyll in Kintyre, and eventually settled in Iona in Scotland, a part of the Irish kingdom of D√°l Riata at the time. From there, they established a new abbey and began their mission to bring Christianity to the pagan northern Pictish kingdoms. Despite his active involvement in Irish politics, Columba spent the majority of his life in Scotland, continuing his religious endeavors. Learn about his legacy, including the three early medieval Latin hymns attributed to him. This podcast is based on information from Wikipedia.