Aidan, Saint

Aidan, Saint

(born Ireland—died Aug. 31, 651, Bamburgh, Northumberland, Eng.; feast day August 31) Apostle of Northumbria and founder of Lindisfarne. He was a monk at Iona in Scotland when King Oswald of Northumbria requested that he be made bishop of the newly converted Northumbrians. He established his church, see, and monastery on the island of Lindisfarne, not far from the royal stronghold of Bamburgh. From there he evangelized northern England, founding churches, monasteries, and a school. Bede praised him for his learning, charity, and simplicity of life.