Sure, almost everything we know about Cuthbert, we learned through the writings of Bede. Had Bede known that he would one day square off against Cuthbert in the saintly smackdown, perhaps he would have written a different tune? Nonetheless, these two face one another in a rare battle of contemporaries. The winner will go up against Molly Brant.
Yesterday we saw one of the greatest routs in Lent Madness history with Kamehameha spanking William Laud 84% to 16%. He'll go on to face David Oakerhater in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen.
Speaking of routs, our bracketologists did a bit of digging to unearth where Kamehameha's victory ranked among the annals of Lent Madness blowouts. In 2013 Florence Li-Tim Oi, the first woman ordained in the Anglican Communion, defeated Chad of Lichfield by the same percentage, 84% to 16%. Talk about your hanging Chad...
But the greatest blowout in Lent Madness history, percentage-wise, came in the very first year this devotional started. In 2010, Francis of Assisi defeated Aelred of Riveaulx 87% to 13% in the Elate Eight. For the record, Francis lost to Julian of Norwich in the Faithful Four that year and is now back in the bracket for the first time since.
The Venerable Bede
The Venerable Bede is among Christianity’s greatest scholars, having produced numerous commentaries on scripture, hagiographies of the saints, and studies of chronology and timekeeping. He is best known for his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, the premier source of information about the development of Christianity in England from the time of Augustine’s arrival in 597 until 731 CE.
Very little is known about the details of Bede’s life. He was his own primary biographer, offering the briefest annotations at the beginning and end of his Ecclesiastical History. Preferring to remain a simple “servant of Christ and Priest,” Bede traced the broadest outlines of his life: he entered the monastery at Wearmouth at age seven, and, when a new abbey was founded at Jarrow in 682, he transferred there. He was ordained as a deacon at age nineteen and a priest at age thirty and ultimately remained at Jarrow for the vast majority of his life. Over the course of his life, he joyed in “wholly applying myself to the study of scripture, and amidst the observance of regular discipline, and the daily care of singing in the church, I always took delight in learning, teaching, and writing.”
Bede’s delight in learning, teaching, and writing provides us with much of the history of the Church in England. Bede reported Pope Gregory the Great’s dispatch of Augustine to England in 597, and after the baptism of Ethelbert in 601, Augustine’s appointment as the First Archbishop of Canterbury. Bede’s Ecclesiastical History introduced us to the tale of Alban, the first martyr in England, and his faithful confession that “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things.” Through Bede we learn much of our history of the various abbots of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, most especially Cuthbert. And Bede introduces us to Hilda and the influence of her abbey at Whitby.
As one of the church’s saints, Bede’s witness shines brightest in his constant dedication in bringing the world to know the light of Christ shining in countless others, so that their witness may shine to the Church throughout all ages.
Collect for Bede
Heavenly Father, you called your servant Bede, while still a child, to devote his life to your service in the disciplines of religion and scholarship: Grant that as he labored in the Spirit to bring the riches of your truth to his generation, so we, in our various vocations, may strive to make you known in all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
In the Venerable Bede’s The Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindesfarne, we read, “He was affable and pleasant in his character...he would introduce, in the meekest way, the spiritual benefits which the love of God had conferred upon himself. And this he took care to do in a covert manner, as if it had happened to another person.”
Cuthbert’s life, marked by miracles and adventure, was also a life of profound kindness. He grew up an orphan shepherd and spent days in quiet solitude tending flocks in the pastures of Scotland. He took holy orders at age seventeen after having seen a vision of angels bearing a saintly man toward heaven. This vision coincided with the death of Saint Aidan — ostensibly Cuthbert saw the saintly man being carried to heaven.
Cuthbert became the abbot of Melrose but was always more comfortable in the wild solitude of nature. He often went out to the sea, standing waist-deep in freezing waters to pray. His communing with the natural world was such that it was said that sea otters dried his legs when he finished prayers. He spent eight years as a hermit on the island of Inner Farne and the animals of the island came under his protection.
When the yellow plague hit the land, Cuthbert traveled extensively to minister to victims. Miraculous healings began to be attributed to him, and he was famed as the “Wonder Worker of Britain.” He saw his journeys as a time to not only comfort the afflicted but also to renew their Christian faith.
His adroit handling of church matters and administration were amply displayed in his work at the Synod of Whitby (664), which fixed the date of Easter and aligned the liturgy of the Celtic Church with the liturgy of the Church in Rome. This repair of the breach with Rome demonstrated his gifts for not only healing individuals but also in reconciling groups of people who disagreed vehemently with each other.
His fame for miraculous healings, his competence in ministry, and his kindness in personal relationships caused him to be elevated to the bishopric of Hexham in 684 while still maintaining his see at Lindisfarne. His life was cut short by illness, and he died in 687.
Cuthbert is the most revered saint of the early Anglo-Saxon Church. In honor of his memory, the Gospels of Lindisfarne were commissioned and a church was built to house his relics. Even after his death, he continued to be credited with all manner of healings and miracles such that Bede compiled a collection of the testimonies and penned his famous work on Cuthbert.
Collect for Cuthbert
Almighty God, you called Cuthbert from following the flock to be a shepherd of your people: Mercifully grant that, as he sought in dangerous and remote places those who had erred and strayed from your ways, so we may seek the indifferent and the lost, and lead them back to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vote!
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314 comments on “Bede vs. Cuthbert”
This was a difficult one! Each has much to commend him and I wish they had been placed so that this vote would not have come before the final four at the earliest. Having visited Lindisfarne, Jarrow, and Durham Cathedral only makes the choice more difficult.
One of the daily meditations that I read today, from Henri Nouwen, spoke of the virtue of gentleness in leadership! Despite my sense, as another said, that Cuthbert might have "sold out" at Whitby (one of the downsides of having a gentle spirit being that one might be too consiliatory), I vote for this gentle saint! He's one I wish I could go back in time to meet.
This mornings vote for the Venerable Bede is in honor of all those who participated in a late night game of charads at the CDSP entering class retreat in 2002.
My prediction was right. Perhaps it is my calling to hang with the losers. On a brighter note, a present yesterday in my snail mail: Stars in a Dark World. Such a joy. Astonished how huge it is - seven hundred and ninety-one 8 x 11 pages. High quality scholarship.
Back to the battle . . . Go, team. Go, Ven. Never give up.
Without Bede's writings, we may not have known much about Cuthbert, however, my vote goes to Cuthbert as his ministry of healing and reconciliation is and always will be what we are to do in this world. (Reminds me of an early male version of Mother Teresa)
A healer and reconciler gets my vote, even if we wouldn't have known about him except for his opponent!
It is interesting what speaks to us about any given Saint on any particular day. I miss the Clairvoyatron! John and Thomas always had helpful things to tell us!! Oh Maple Anglican, Where Art Thou???
ps, I'm the other Barbara
I cry foul! Comparing the Venerable Bede,drily lableled "a scholar" (yawn) and pictured with an image not unlike an Appalachian dried-apple doll! Put up against the lovely, glowing icon of Cuthbert, dubbled "pleasant and affable ..." Really, SEC, I understand that it's hard to ensure that the write-ups are equally matched, but the images are much easier to make equivalent, and "a picture speaks a thousand words!"
The VB's got his own gorgeous,kindly looking, becoming icons, an example of which is hanging in our sanctuary at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, LA! Here is it on the painter's website: http://www.josephbrownicons.com/st-bede-the-venerable/
You will see another image of him, working amiably with one of the "no fewer than six hundred scholars, whom his piety, learning, and sweet disposition had gathered around him." (http://parish.stbedechicago.org/about_us/the_life_of_st_bede_the_venerable) This biography gives a much fuller portrait of the contributions of this gentle, 7th Century "Renaissance man" a homebody who yet did so much to make the church-in-action known to the wider world.
Vote Bede, Vote Bede, Vote Bede! There is a place in heaven for benevolent teachers whose main work is to cast a light on others' gifts, just as there is for community activists who prefer solitude.
Wonderful. Thanks for the link. I voted for Bede, because there obviously was a whole lot more to him than he wrote about, due no doubt to his saintly modesty.
Oh yeah, and Bede has his own theme park in the UK. Can Cuthbert boast that? http://www.bedesworld.co.uk/
Well said, Elizabeth! Love the pix ~
Gotta love a choice when there are no wrong answers! Cake or pie? Lobster or crab? Two fine Chrstians who continue to serve beyond their lives as inspirations to those who come after. Lord, help me be a little more like either of these. And affable. Who doesn't like affable?
Through the influence of a spiritual advisor, I have taken to praying "Restore me from my wanderings, as I seek to restore others who have wandered." Fits right into Cuthbert's collect. Though I venerate such as Bede, the wholly Venerable scholar, a ministry of reconciliation is the definition of Christ-like. Cuthbert for the Halo.
Tough choice but I've just got to vote for the one that writes hagiographies. Now, how can I use that in a sentence today?
Keeping in mind that it is an honor just to be considered in this match-up, The Venerable Bede gave a unique and invaluable contribution in his writings, but I gave my vote to Cuthbert because, while he could have stayed comfortably at home doing his own writings, he chose to be proactive and go out into the world to spread kindness and love. I suspect that Bede was comfortable and happy doing his writings. Cuthbert had to overcome his introverted nature and propel himself unwillingly into the world. Thanks goodness he had the otters for support!
Without Cuthbert, Bede would not had anything to write about. A vote for the Scot.
Despite the fact I am a former educator and I love history I could not bring myself to vote for Bede. Cuthbert may of been a hermit for a while protecting the animals but he also did come out and help people with the plague. While administering to the sick he renewed their faith. For me helping people with their faith goes farther than helping people with the history of the church. And yes as a former educator I believe both are important.
Being a scholar, I was set to vote for Bede, but when I read that the Lindisfarne Gospel was commissioned in Cuthbert' s memory that sealed the deal.
This was the toughest choice, but I voted for Bede because he left us a record, without which we would not know about Cuthbert. I highly value education and writing.
What an unfair matchup, SEC! In the end, I voted for Bede, in honor of my brother in law, a college librarian who, like Bede, points others to the saints of the past.
I vote for Bede - for his historic contributions in preserving the faith for future generations...and because he's taking a beating.
As a recovering history major, I had to go with Bede. Although the argument that Cuthbert humbly took on the task that all introverts dread -- leadership -- is mighty powerful.
Since you had the Wesley boys a couple years ago, how about Zwingli and Calvin?
You've had Luther, let's get the rest of the Reformation gang in there!!!!
And why not John Knox, George Fox, and Thomas Helwys? At least they're English. Some American separatists too. Roger Williams? Mary Dyer? John Clarke? Maybe Joseph Priestley.
I agree with Jen about the need for someone like Cuthbert to bring the disagreed together. The U.S. government officials could certainly use them now. Like Donna, I have cat who dries my ankles, actually she is putting her smell on me with her musk glands. And as Ann said, an introvert going into the area and healing is a tough duty.
Normally, I vote for the one I think will have the best kitsch. (don't judge me) However, today, I am going with the historian. Although I fear that either one will fall to Molly Brant (who has already shown her knack for taking down old dead white guys) in the next round.
This pairing gives one pause to honor & celebrate the fruits of being faithful to one's gifts TODAY -- like 2 pieces in an eternal jigsaw puzzle: Cuthbert - ever the humble, gentle shepherd - in ministering healing of body, soul, & spirit & thereby embodying the Good News (which was likely spread in the highways & byways)... Bede ministering inspiration to centuries to come in recording it....
Perhaps a Lenten reflection on how my piece fits into the Puzzle so far.....?
I agree. Not boring at all! They are both wonderful examples of Christlike living - and Celts! Saints I feel I can truly relate to! I love what you have said about their earthiness. Isn't it fantastic that their way of faith is being embraced more fully in our age than it was for so many centuries?
No mention of Cuddy Ducks? Cuthbert was responsible for legislation that protected their breeding grounds in the Fairnes islands. That was one of the first conservation laws in British history.
Pitting Cuthbert against Bede was indeed unfair. I chose Cuthbert for his great compassion to all God's creatures.
I admit that I am biased in this match-up; I have been the Rector of a parish whose patron saint is St. Bede for almost 25 years. In that time, one preaches on the propers for and life of the saint a number of times. I have also had the opportunity to visit Jarro and see Bede's church and to visit "Bedesworld", a historical park and museum remembering the life and times of this great scholar. Bede was more than a theologian, he wrote about a multitude of subjects. As a historian he changed the custom of how time was conceived (eg., "in the 10th year of King Harald" to Bede's new usage "in the year 675"). I suppose in that sense he took the first step in preparing us to be wary of the huge "Y2K" non-issue from 15 years ago. The drawing of Bede that was used was indeed unfortunate. I might refer you to the icon found on the Bede'sworld site: http://www.bedesworld.co.uk/ or the icon we commissioned several years ago: http://www.stbedesla.org/ It is indeed a difficult match up, but I think that Bede is deserving of your vote. If for no other reason, try the ginger cookie recipe in this year's Lent Madness scorecard book!
Father Jim, our gorgeous icon of St. Bede is not back up on our nearly renovated parish website at the moment. All in good time. However, here is a link to where one can view it, and many other superb icons by a contemporary painter: http://www.josephbrownicons.com/st-bede-the-venerable/
In 1966, for over a month, I stepped over Bede's remains almost daily in the Durham Cathedral, so I was pretty sure he would get my vote. Cuthbert however grabbed my heart with his kindness. With the sea otters, his companions and friends - which by the way I thoroughly understand - on my mind, I surprised myself and voted for Cuthbert.
Without Bede we would not know about Cuthbert whose picture does not show up on my iPhone but surprisingly the venerable Bedes pic shows up. If that's not a sign from Heaven I don't know whAt is !
"For if history records good things of good men, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good; or if it records evil of wicked men, the good, religious reader or listener is encouraged to avoid all that is sinful and perverse, and to follow what he knows to be good and pleasing to God." Bede
So hard. I've long had a love for Cuthbert and even named a beloved cat for him. But, I firmly believe Bede would have voted for Cuthbert and that humility makes me choose to
vote for him. Next kitty will be "Bede."