The orthodox English saints are a diverse bunch of men and women, each of whom has their own special stories. St. Alban, for instance, was known as the protomartyr of England. There are also many others. But here are some of the most important ones: St. Alban, St. Bede, St. Andrew, and St. John Chrysostom.
Table of Contents
St. Alban
The orthodox English saint of Alban is a modern figure, and he is celebrated not just in the city of St. Albans, but in other parts of the world, as well. He is the patron of torture victims, converts, and the Midlands. The city has a large shrine to the saint, and his flag is the official one of the Midlands.
His martyrdom is a complex story. While most historians believe he was executed in the fifth century AD, there are other versions. A fifth century source says he died in 283 AD, but an eighteenth-century manuscript suggests he was executed in as early as 209 AD. The emperor Septimimus Severus was in Britain at the time, and the priest Amphibalus was eventually caught and killed at Redbourn.
St. Bede
St. Bede is a pious English saint who lived in the sixth century. His writings are among the most valuable in the history of Christianity in England. He wrote forty books on almost every subject imaginable, though most of them dealt with theology and history. Bede was born in 673 in Northumbria. He was educated at the monasteries of St. Peter and St. Paul in Jarrow. Bede was later ordained a priest and lived for the rest of his life in these monasteries.
The day of his death, May 26, 735, is celebrated as the Feast of the Ascension, as he had spent the previous day translating the Gospel of St. John. Before he died, he sang “Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
St. Andrew
Saint Andrew was born in Bethsaida, a town near the Sea of Galilee, where Greek influences were evident. Andrew became a disciple of St John the Baptist, and he met Jesus. Andrew was a fisherman by trade, and he was the first apostle appointed by Jesus. Andrew was also known as Protocletos, which means ‘first-called.’ He is often portrayed as the disciple closest to Jesus, and his life is associated with many events.
Andrew left the Holy Land after the Pentecost to preach the Gospel in the cities of Asia Minor and Greece. Andrew’s preaching and signs and wonders were enough to win the hearts of the people of the Azrinos. Unfortunately, the city’s wicked leaders plotted against him, and they sent messengers to attack him. Andrew was then crucified on an X-shaped cross on November 30th.
St. John Chrysostom
Saint John Chrysostom was an early Church Father, who wrote extensively on issues of Scripture and theology. His writings include the Six Discourses on the Priesthood, which remains one of the greatest works of Orthodox pastoral theology. He also lived in the wilderness for four years, where he was accompanied by a spiritual guide. During this time, he wrote three books criticizing opponents of the monastic life. The first was “Against the People Who Oppose the Monastic Life,” which was originally published in Greek and is still a standard reference today.
Saint John Chrysostom’s mission to the West began in Antioch, where he was raised by a Greek family. He was later raised in Constantinople, where he completed his ministry. He regarded Christians as saviors and teachers of the city, and he had a deep appreciation for the polis as the center of civilization.
St. Basil the Great
The writings of St. Basil the Great have become legendary for their richness and depth. The Rulebook contains twenty-four sermons on morals and five treatises. During his lifetime, St. Basil also visited monasteries and was deeply involved in the struggles of the community. These monks were often faced with extreme poverty and strict abstinence. Nevertheless, Basil and his brother Gregory were able to study the Sacred Scriptures and composed a collection of writings known as the “Philokalia.” The Philokalia was not the modern ascetical anthology of the same name. The texts present a fascinating glimpse into the character of Basil and provide a portrait of the age in which he lived.
Basil the Great was born to wealthy Cappadocian parents. His parents were bishops in Nyssa and Sebaste, but only five of them became saints. His father died when he was a young child, and his mother took care of him. His family members were pious and he received his primary education from his paternal grandfather, Basil the Elder, who taught rhetoric. Basil then went on to receive his secondary education in the town of Caesarea, in Cappadocia. Later, he transferred to the schools of Constantinople, where he listened to great philosophers and orators.
St. Cuthbert Bishop of Hexham
Cuthbert was the Prior of the monastery of Lindisfarne Island, and later lived as a hermit on fame Island. When King Egfrith of Northumbria chose him to become the Bishop of Hexham, he reluctantly accepted the post. Nevertheless, he was later exchanged for the Bishopric of Lindisfarne. He was consecrated at York on March 26, 685. Then, he returned to the Inner Farne Island, where he died from illness.
His life story can be divided into two chapters: his own and the centuries after his death. In the first, we learn of his life and that of his companion Aidan of Lindisfarne. During this time, Cuthbert was a monk, who underwent a period of penance and repentance. His piety and steadfastness in the face of trials led him to devote his life to holiness.
