A Saint before the schism, Saint Kevin in Ireland

 

A Saint before the schism, Saint Kevin in Ireland, we also have him as a Saint, as he had his hands outstretched in prayer, a bird came and sat on his open palm, he did not chase it away, he stayed like that and prayed, the bird gave birth to an egg, hatched it and then they left and then he stopped having his hands raised in prayer. He writes about it in his life. And a Nobel laureate said it at the Nobel Prize in Literature award ceremony in 1995 about Saint Kevin. His name is: Seamus Heaney (=Seamus Heaney) 1939 - 2013 and he is an Irish poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. On the day he was given the Nobel Prize and he told them that this is how all people should look like Saint Kevin!!

What stories survive of Saint Kevin, Missionary of Ireland?

Saint Kevin (St. Kevin of Glendalough, 6th–7th century) is one of the most beloved figures in Irish monastic tradition. He lived as an ascetic in the Glendalough area and many instructive and miraculous stories have survived around his person.

Main stories and traditions

1. The bird that made a nest in his hand

The most famous story says that while he was praying with his hands raised, a bird (usually a blackbird) made a nest in his palm and laid eggs.

Kevin remained motionless for days until the young hatched, showing absolute patience and love for creation.

2. Life with wild animals

He lived so harmoniously with nature that the animals were not afraid of him. Traditions say that: an otter brought him fish, a deer helped him, and in general the animals recognized him as a friend, almost like a new Adam.

3. The miraculous raising of a child

It is said that a lord left his child with Kevin to raise. When the child died, the saint prayed and resurrected it.

4. The miracle with the wheat

When his monks needed food, Kevin prayed and a small field produced an excessive harvest, enough for everyone.

5. Discipline and asceticism

He lived for years in a cave or in a narrow space (some say in a “stone cell”), practicing strict fasting and isolation. This made him a model hermit.

Celebrated on June 3rd

 

Apolitikion

Thou wast privileged to live in the age of Saints, O Father Kevin, being baptized by one Saint, taught by another and buried by a third. Pray to God that He will raise up Saints in our day to help, support and guide us into the way of salvation.