Commemorated on March 20th
Saint Cuthbert was born in Britain about the year 635, and
became a monk in his youth at the monastery of Melrose by the River Tweed. After
many years of struggle as a true priest of Christ, in the service both of his
own brethren and of the neglected Christians of isolated country villages, he
became a solitary on Farne Island in 676. After eight years as a hermit, he was
constrained to leave his quiet to become Bishop of Lindisfarne, in which office
he served for almost two years. He returned to his hermitage two months before
he reposed in peace in 687.
Because of the miracles he wrought both during his life and at
his tomb after his death, he is called the "Wonderworker of Britain." The whole
English people honoured him, and kings were both benefactors to his shrine and
suppliants of his prayers. Eleven years after his death, his holy relics were
revealed to be incorrupt; when his body was translated from Lindisfarne to
Durham Cathedral in August of 1104, his body was still found to be untouched by
decay, giving off "an odour of sweetest flagrancy," and "from the flexibility of
its joints representing a person asleep rather than dead."
Finally, when the most impious Henry VIII desecrated his shrine,
opening it to despoil it of its valuables, his body was again found incorrupt,
and was buried in 1542. It is believed that after this the holy relics of Saint
Cuthbert were hidden to preserve them from further desecration
Apolytikion Tone 3
Tone While still in thy youth thou didst lay aside all worldly
care and didst take up the sweet yoke of Christ, O godly-minded Cuthbert, and
thou wast shown forth in truth to be nobly radiant in the grace of the Holy
Spirit. Wherefore, God established thee as a rule of faith and shepherd of His
rational flock, O converser with Angels and intercessor for men.
Kontakion Tone 1
Having surpassed thy brethren in prayers, fasting, and vigils,
thou wast found worthy to entertain a pilgrim-angel; and having shone forth with
humility as a bright lamp set on high, thou didst receive the gift of
wonderworking. And now as thou dwellest in the heavenly Kingdom, O our righteous
Father Cuthbert, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Source: www.goarch.org,
www.odox.net
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