Holy Island – Saint Aidan and Saint Cuthbert

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is so called because of the very important religious position in which this holy isle is held in the history and development of Christianity of Britain.

There are many important religious figures associated with Holy Island, particularly Saint Aidan and Saint Cuthbert.

Saint Aidan had arrived here in the early C7th from St Columba’s monastery on the Isle of Iona. He was tremendous apostle for spreading the Christian faith by his travelling and teachings. After his death the monastery he found so well continued his good work.

St Cuthbert arrived at Holy Island around 665AD and was famed for his life of solitude, but for a period he was also an active missionary. The small St Cuthbert’s Isle where he had his first cell can be seen just offshore from the current priory. However he later set up his hermitage on the nearby island of Inner Farne. He died in 687AD… but his story was perhaps only just beginning!

Holy Island is also famed for its Lindisfarne Gospels which are one of the most important historic illuminated books in the whole world. Largely attributed to Eadfrith, the original late C7th and C8th manuscript can be seen in the British Museum. However, visitors to the Lindisfarne Heritage Centre can see both a replica and interactive digital versions.

The existing Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is said to stand on the site of the original priory of Saint Aidan… with parts of its structure actually dating back to the C7th.

More information is found within the two new Holy Island of Lindisfarne guidebooks featured elsewhere on this website.

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