In Search of an Ancient Saint | Lindisfarne, Holy Island and the Miraculous

Summary

This video script narrates a personal pilgrimage to Holy Island, known for its pivotal role in early Christianity in England. It explores the island's history, the legacy of saints like Aidan and Cuthbert, and the creation of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The narrator's journey becomes a contemplation on faith, miracles, and the possibility of a re-enchanted world, culminating at St. Cuthbert's shrine, reflecting on the potential for spiritual transformation.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland, England, with a rich history as the cradle of Christianity in the north.
• 🕊 The island is associated with saints like Aidan and Cuthbert, whose influence extends beyond the UK and is recognized across various Christian denominations.
• 📜 The Lindisfarne Gospels were created in honor of Saint Cuthbert, reflecting the island's cultural significance.
• 🧙‍♂️ Saint Cuthbert was a multifaceted figure known for his healing, teaching, and prophetic abilities, and is considered England's most popular saint, especially in the north.
• 🌊 Cuthbert is said to have lived in solitude on a small island, connected to Holy Island, where he grew food, recited psalms, and battled evil spirits.
• 🦉 The narrative of Saint Cuthbert includes miraculous interactions with nature, such as commanding the wind and being known by creatures of the air and sea.
• 🛕 The original monastery on Lindisfarne was founded by the Irish monk Aidan in 634 AD at the request of the Christian King Oswald of Northumbria.
• 🏰 Cuthbert's life and miracles are documented by the Venerable Bede, who wrote about his deeds and the reverence people had for him during the so-called Dark Ages.
• 🚤 A boat trip to Cuthbert's Island provides a mystical experience, suggesting a connection to a different time and a deeper spiritual reality.
• 🕊 Cuthbert is credited with being an early advocate for bird protection, particularly for the ida ducks, centuries before Saint Francis of Assisi.
• ⛪️ Despite the desecration during the English Reformation, Saint Cuthbert's remains and legacy have been preserved, reflecting his enduring importance in Christian history.

Q & A

What is the significance of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, in the history of Christianity in England?

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is significant as it was the cradle of Christianity in the north of England. It is recognized for its cultural and religious importance by various Christian denominations and has a history that extends beyond the UK, influencing the English-speaking world.

Who were the key saints associated with Lindisfarne and why are they important?

Saints Aidan and Cuthbert are key figures associated with Lindisfarne. Aidan was instrumental in establishing the monastery and spreading Christianity in the region. Cuthbert, known for his miracles, teachings, and prophecies, is considered England's most popular saint, especially in the north.

What is the historical context of the Lindisfarne Gospels?

The Lindisfarne Gospels were created in honor of Saint Cuthbert. They represent a significant achievement in art and literature during the period and are a testament to the cultural and religious life of the time.

Why is Saint Cuthbert considered a popular saint, especially in the north of England?

Saint Cuthbert is considered popular due to his roles as a healer, teacher, prophet, and his connection with miracles. His life and works have left a lasting impression on the region, making him a beloved figure.

What is the significance of Saint Cuthbert's connection with nature and animals, particularly the ida ducks?

Saint Cuthbert is said to have been so close to nature that he was able to tame animals, including the ida ducks, and was a pioneer in bird protection laws. This connection signifies a deep respect for the natural world and a harmonious relationship with it.

What historical event led to the abandonment of the original Celtic priory at Lindisfarne?

The original Celtic priory at Lindisfarne was abandoned due to the Viking raids and the presence of the Danes in northern England, which made the area unsafe.

What is the significance of Saint Cuthbert's hermitage on Inner Farne Island?

Saint Cuthbert's hermitage on Inner Farne Island is significant as it represents his commitment to solitude, prayer, and spiritual warfare against evil. It is a symbol of his dedication to a life of penance and communion with nature.

What is the story behind Saint Cuthbert's incorrupt body and its journey after his death?

Saint Cuthbert's body was found to be incorrupt 11 years after his death, which led to a saga of moving his remains due to Viking raids and the fall of the Northumbrian kingdom. His body eventually found its resting place in Durham Cathedral.

Why was Saint Cuthbert's shrine at Durham Cathedral spared during the English Reformation?

Despite the widespread destruction during the English Reformation, Saint Cuthbert's shrine was spared, likely due to his enduring popularity and the significance of his remains, which were found to be incorrupt.

What modern implications or reflections does the script suggest about the role of faith and spirituality in contemporary society?

The script suggests that faith and spirituality, as exemplified by the life of Saint Cuthbert, can offer a sense of connection to the natural world, a deeper understanding of history, and a potential re-enchantment of the world that is often felt to be lacking in modern, secular societies.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Journey to Holy Island: The Cradle of Northern Christianity

The narrator embarks on a journey to Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island, a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland. Historically significant as the birthplace of Christianity in Northern England, it is home to saints recognized across major Christian denominations. The narrator explores the island's spiritual legacy, particularly focusing on the lives and works of Saints Aidan and Cuthbert. The Lindisfarne Gospels, created in honor of Saint Cuthbert, are highlighted as a significant cultural artifact. The story of Saint Cuthbert, known for his miracles and humble service, is detailed, including his life as a healer, teacher, and prophet, and his eventual solitary existence on a small island.

05:00

🏰 The Monastic Roots and Saint Cuthbert's Miracles

This paragraph delves into the history of the monastery founded by Irish monk Aidan in 634 at the request of King Oswald. It discusses the establishment of a Christian center and the subsequent arrival of Cuthbert, who later became the Bishop of Lindisfarne. Cuthbert's background, from potential military service to his life-changing vision of angelic figures, is explored. His dedication to God and the miracles attributed to him, such as controlling the elements and healing the sick, are detailed. The paragraph also touches on the cultural impact of these saints, with references to modern parallels like Gandalf and Merlin, suggesting a deeper truth to the myths surrounding such figures.

10:01

🕊️ Saint Cuthbert's Connection with Nature and Spiritual Protection

The narrator reflects on Saint Cuthbert's deep connection with nature, particularly his affinity for birds, as evidenced by the ida ducks that approached them. The story of Cuthbert's early bird protection laws, predating Saint Francis of Assisi, is highlighted, showing his influence on conservation. The narrator's experience of visiting Cuthbert's island home, despite the foggy conditions, is described as mystical and transformative. The connection between faith, nature, and the potential for a re-enchanted world is pondered, with the narrator considering the possibility of a world enriched by spiritual principles and self-discipline.

15:01

🛕 The Pilgrimage to Saint Cuthbert's Shrine and the Power of Faith

The pilgrimage continues with a visit to the chapel built in honor of Saint Cuthbert, where the narrator learns about his life and miracles. The discussion includes Cuthbert's reluctant acceptance of the role of bishop and his spiritual battles. The narrator contemplates the nature of miracles and the power of faith, drawing parallels with modern skepticism and historical belief in the supernatural. The story of Cuthbert's incorrupt body and the saga of its movement during the Viking raids adds a layer of mystery and reverence to the narrative.

20:02

⛪️ The Enduring Legacy of Saint Cuthbert and the Quest for Spiritual Reconnection

The final paragraph concludes the pilgrimage with a visit to Durham Cathedral, where Saint Cuthbert's remains rest. The narrator reflects on the historical significance of the cathedral and the relics of Saint Cuthbert, including his coffin and personal items. The impact of the English Reformation and the surprising preservation of Cuthbert's image and remains is noted. The narrator expresses a renewed sense of faith and a broadened perspective on the possibilities of spiritual experiences, suggesting a reconnection with a deeper, more enigmatic world.

Keywords

💡Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a small tidal island off the coast of Northumberland, England. It is historically significant as the cradle of Christianity in the north of England. In the video, Lindisfarne is the central location where the narrative unfolds, highlighting its cultural and religious importance.

💡Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In the script, Christianity is portrayed as having a foundational role in the history of Lindisfarne, with the island being a center for its spread in the region during the 7th century.

💡Saints

Saints are individuals recognized for their holy and virtuous lives in Christianity. The video discusses saints like Aidan and Cuthbert, who were influential figures in the establishment of Christianity on Lindisfarne and are recognized across various Christian denominations.

💡Cuthbert

Saint Cuthbert was a 7th-century Christian saint known for his life as a hermit, healer, teacher, and prophet. The script describes him as England's most popular saint, particularly in the north, and his life and miracles are central to the video's exploration of the island's spiritual history.

💡Lindisfarne Gospels

The Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated manuscript of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, created around 698 AD. In the script, it is mentioned as a significant cultural artifact created in honor of Saint Cuthbert, reflecting the artistic and religious heritage of the island.

💡Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey taken with a spiritual or religious significance. The narrator embarks on a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne in search of the legacy of Saint Cuthbert, which serves as a metaphorical journey into the past and a quest for deeper understanding of faith and history.

💡Miracles

Miracles are extraordinary events attributed to a divine agency. The script recounts various miracles associated with Saint Cuthbert, such as healing the sick and influencing natural elements, which are integral to the narrative of his sanctity and spiritual power.

💡Hermit

A hermit is a person who lives in seclusion, often for religious reasons. Saint Cuthbert is depicted as living as a hermit on an island, embodying a life of solitude, prayer, and spiritual warfare, which is a key aspect of the video's exploration of Christian monasticism.

💡Viking Raids

Viking Raids refer to the series of invasions and attacks by Viking warriors during the late 8th to early 11th centuries. The script mentions the impact of Viking Raids on Lindisfarne, leading to the abandonment of the original monastery and the eventual movement of Saint Cuthbert's relics.

💡Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is a Norman cathedral in Durham, England, and the final resting place of Saint Cuthbert. The script concludes with a visit to the cathedral, where the narrator reflects on the saint's legacy and the enduring spiritual significance of his relics and shrine.

Highlights

Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland and a significant site in the history of Christianity in Northern England.

The island's history extends beyond the UK, with its saints recognized by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, influencing the English-speaking world.

Saints Aidan and Cuthbert played pivotal roles in the Christianization of the 7th-century pagan Britain through their dedication and service.

The Lindisfarne Gospels were created in honor of Saint Cuthbert, who was a healer, teacher, prophet, and is considered England's most popular saint.

Venerable Bede documented the life and miracles of Saint Cuthbert, whose influence was so profound that people traveled great distances to see him during the so-called Dark Ages.

Saint Cuthbert's life on a remote island is likened to legendary figures such as Gandalf or Merlin, reflecting the cultural impact of his story.

The speaker embarked on a pilgrimage to rediscover the history and spiritual legacy of Holy Island and Saint Cuthbert.

The monastery on Lindisfarne was founded in 634 by Irish monk Aidan at the request of King Oswald, marking the beginning of Christian monasticism in the region.

Cuthbert's life story, including his military service and eventual dedication to God after a vision, is a testament to his transformative journey.

The speaker's visit to the island and its historical sites, such as the ruins of the Benedictine abbey, evokes a sense of the sacred and the mystical.

The story of Saint Cuthbert's interaction with nature, including his protection of birds, predates Saint Francis of Assisi's environmental advocacy.

The speaker's encounter with ida ducks on the island draws a connection to Saint Cuthbert's historical role in bird conservation.

The narrative of Saint Cuthbert's life and miracles challenges modern skepticism and invites a reconsideration of the role of faith and spirituality.

The speaker reflects on the potential for a re-enchanted world, where faith and self-discipline could enrich modern life beyond materialism.

The journey concludes with a visit to Durham Cathedral, where Saint Cuthbert's relics and artifacts are preserved, offering a tangible link to the past.

The speaker's experience suggests that engaging with history and spirituality can offer new perspectives and a deeper understanding of life's possibilities.

Transcripts

i recently visited lindisfarne better

known as holy island it's a small tidal

island off the coast of northumberland

in northeastern england cut off by the

tide each day

lindisfarne was in some ways the cradle

of christianity in the north of england

it certainly occupies that place uh in

the cultural memory for christians here

now many of you watching this video

won't be from britain but i feel that

this history goes far beyond the uk

the saints who called lindisfarne home

are recognized by the catholic orthodox

and anglican churches and obviously what

happened here rippled across the now

english-speaking world many centuries

later it was emanating from holy island

that a large part of this pagan island

of britain in the 7th century would

learn of the way the truth and the life

and we'd received that due to the

tireless effort dedication and humble

service of great men rightly saints such

as aidan and a little later cuthbert

the magnificent lindisfarne gospels were

created here in honour of the latter man

saint cuthbert was a healer a teacher a

prophet and is probably england's most

popular saint and certainly in the north

it was said by the venerable bead that

people flocked for miles upon miles in

the so-called dark ages just to see the

man a man who worked feats we'd struggle

to comprehend or categorize today the

wind obeyed his prayer the creatures of

the air and sea knew him saint cuthbert

the abbot of lindisfarne who it was said

eventually lived on a tiny island off of

holy island in solitude with just a

shelter and the birds for company

growing his food reciting the psalms and

battling evil spirits even kings sought

his council popular imagination sees

warrior wizards or holy men shades of

gandalf the grey with his staff or even

the wizard merlin of arthurian romance

do the myths point to a truth in men

like cuthbert long ago in a different

age

or does human longing make it seem so

because this saint cuthbert not only

lives on the pages of bead but walked

our earth the fields and valleys not far

from where i live

he rests to this day in durham cathedral

opposite saint bead who famously wrote

of his deeds

holy island saints miracles much of this

history and these names were new to me

this stuff isn't common knowledge to

people of my generation

although this glistening history and

these stories that whisper through the

trees and hills here feel as though

they're bursting to be rediscovered

so i've been there and back again over

the last few days and i've seen

something i still don't quite know how

to register

it began as a few days break by the

coast with my wife and quickly ascended

into a full-grown pilgrimage in pursuit

of the stuff of myth and legend for a

distracted modern person it's almost

like trying to catch clouds of incense

with your fingers a pilgrimage in search

of saint cuthbert come with me over the

next few minutes as we look back over

this journey

[Music]

so the romans have left britain a

monastery was first founded at

lindisfarne in the year of our lord 634

by the irish monk aiden at the request

of the newly converted christian king of

northumbria

king oswald wanted a center of christian

monasticism and evangelism off the coast

of his essentially pagan kingdom

and it seems to have worked there's tons

of cool history and stories surrounding

aiden and king oswald actually saint

oswald the story of the king's arm and

aidan's gift of the royal horse to a

poor man being two of my favorites

around 30 years later cuthbert a monk

already famed for his piety and miracles

arrives at lindisfarne and that's around

six six five he becomes the bishop of

lindisfarne in six eight five

and some believe cuthbert was from a

wealthier family now perhaps even of

semi-noble birth

others say it was far more humble a

shepherd his parents were probably

first-generation christians and he seems

to have served in the military for a

time most likely seeing battle

but it was upon experience of vision and

here is where you must take a step with

me from the confines of modernity or

wherever the heck we are because it's

upon seeing a vision of angelic figures

carrying the spirit of what he presumes

to be a great saint one night up into

the cosmos that cuthbert decides to give

his life to the service of god

he soon discovers that the night of this

vision was the same night that the

aforementioned and much loved saint

aiden passed away just outside of

lindisfarne is bambra castle the current

structure mostly dates from the norman

era but there would have been a

fortification here in king oswald's time

and just below the castle sits the

church of saint ayden a 12th century

church on the grounds of an anglo-saxon

church where the saint breathed his last

this wooden beam is said to be from the

original structure which the frail aiden

leaned against as his spirit left him

the beam is said to have miraculously

survived multiple fires over the

centuries candles and wooden churches

often not complementing each other and

if we can believe if we can take that

step it's from here that saint ayden's

spirit the thing which our science

cannot measure moved and illuminated a

glowing portion of the night sky in the

young cuthbert's vision so cuthbert

gives his life to his faith becomes a

famous holy man and a wonder worker in

his own right and lives until his mid

50s in the service of god giving up the

ghost on his remote island home of

ineffan today saint cuthbert island his

name was known throughout the villages

and the lands he touched and his

miracles were written down for posterity

the venerable bede the father of english

history writes his account a few decades

later i've just read beads biography of

cuthbert and although it jars and

startles the modern frame it's

incredible to see how bead takes care to

cite the names of who was given in which

account we arrived on holy island to

crisp blue skies this video driving

along the causeway being shot a day

later we took in the ruins of the newer

benedictine abbey established in the

11th century the original celtic priory

being abandoned after it became unsafe

due to viking raids and the presence of

the danes in northern england more on

that in a minute i'd heard a lot about

holy island over the past few years even

before i was a christian i didn't know

the name if nothing else and i have to

say that i expected something a little

different something maybe a bit more

holy

but perhaps we have henry viii to thank

for that with only ruins left here and

droves of tourists ice cream

and a busy car park i dare say when the

crowds have gone and the tide is in

cutting the island off from the mainland

that this is a different place here's

the footprint of an anglo-saxon chapel

from the original priory of cuthbert and

aidan's time both saints probably said

mass here and just below is a tiny

island where cuthbert first experimented

with living alone in a monastic cell

built here but not finding it anywhere

near secluded enough he settled for an

island about two miles off of the coast

among stefan islands so we knew we had

to put our money down for a boat trip

and get out to cuthbert's remote island

home ourselves the next day we awoke to

thick fog veiling a faint springtime

light

the fog or sea fret seemed to actually

grow as the time of our departure

approached the idea of the holy man the

wise man or prophet living as a hermit

is the stuff of legend fable and story

and here i was hoping i'd perhaps see a

faint glimmer of what that entailed

the celtic christians cuthbert among

them apparently admired the desert

fathers for their asceticism often

living in isolation for intense periods

on end our culture is far more familiar

with popular characters like the

mysterious ben kenobi living the end of

his life as a hermit in the desert of

george lucas's fable

hello there the mystery retained before

he speaks if you remove the earlier

movies

he's related to ben that wizard is just

a crazy old man and the wizard hermit's

still a wizard and please don't mind me

mixing in these references here i just

feel it's important to maintain a way in

for people i have to confess that i was

thinking about this character of the

hermit holy man as we waited the call

for our vessel wandering around the

quiet fog veiled harbor of the village

of sea houses and you can hazard a guess

as to what this town is all about that's

its name see houses a few minutes before

the call we were approached by three

funny little ducks and this isn't just a

quaint little sight three funny-looking

ducks that weren't familiar to me

knowing as i do nothing about birds they

were ida ducks and they seemed to waddle

straight towards us and although we had

no food for them they remained

puzzlingly withers until the call for

the boat i live near a stream myself and

i haven't seen common malads so placid

before wasn't there a story about saint

cuthbert and animals even these

northumbrian ducks i thought

but i quickly pushed that to the back of

my mind and just ducks used to being fed

by tourists i decided quite rationally

we boarded the boat and headed into the

fog the waves were unusually calm

unseasonably calm where the waters the

captain said to my knowledge there were

no other pilgrims on the boat the very

existence of our boat trip was due to

the large colony of puffins and other

protected birds now living on inner farn

and the tourists around us seem to be in

low cheer due to the dense morning mist

fog which spoils sporting the birds

dolphins and seals they came for but

seemed all too fitting all too

atmospheric for the quest of my

undertaking it was 25 minutes or so at

sea and if you'll indulge me further for

a moment upon leaving the confines of

the harbour i felt as though we left one

time and entered another it was all too

mystical

we couldn't see where we were going nor

where we'd been the veil of the fog

acting as a gate between the mainland of

today and the island of another time as

if reachable by only those who know

where to look puffins began to swoop

down from nowhere then vanish into the

thick fog once more until the island

cliffs began to creep in slowly through

the haze it's easy to be swept up with

this stuff and why not it was something

else i'm making a video about all of

this so as you can tell i loved it

what had brought the sea threat on and

clearly i'm choosing not to believe it

was some mere happenstance of the

weather perhaps there is a story out

there in this world in our view not from

nowhere but from somewhere

from wherever you find yourself this day

and the highest good above us all when

we orient ourselves towards him when we

orient ourselves towards god reveals a

place for us

what would happen if i chose first to

follow a set of deep principles

orient myself properly and believe that

there was then meaning opening up

light breaking in through the windows of

my world

what would happen to me if i believed

that

tricking myself by cozy self-deception a

certain voice says

or would i find my life enriched beyond

what most western people today deem

possible

would those around me be enriched too

i'm already well along on this path as

you can tell i've accepted the

invitation and driven up to the party

seeing where the road leads me trying to

perceive things as these great saints

did upon reaching the now all but

abandoned chapel built in honor of saint

cuthbert a stone's throw from where his

monastic cell stood over 1400 years ago

the young tour guide a lady with a team

of conservationists for the birds began

her tour in the chapel with a story not

of the well-loved puffins but of a bird

not on the island that day ida ducks or

coodie ducks she said coodie being local

slang for cuthbert we were told saint

cuthbert is said to have brought in the

earliest laws protecting birds

protecting these idle ducks on his

island in the seventh century centuries

before saint francis of assisi it said

that cuthbert had them tamed so well

they would nest beside his chapel the

ida dux which ran to us on the beach at

sea houses the guide said that

cuthbert's cell stood here where this

much more recent stone building stands

today others say it was underneath where

the remnants of this elizabethan tower

now stands and here's an artist's

impression of his hermitage that i saw a

day previous i was trying to imagine

this place then bead wrote of a strange

but pleasing account he heard from a

monk who said he spotted cuthbert leave

the company of his brothers at one time

when they were all on the mainland and

he said he saw cuthbert go off towards

the beach and pray in solitude the monk

spied cuthbert praying throughout the

whole night with the tide up to his

shoulders gazing up at the heavens after

cuthbert had finished in the water the

monk saw two sea otters rise from the

surf

they circled cuthbert drying his feet

before he blessed them and they departed

once more and the spying monk obviously

astounded

such stories follow cuthbert in life and

in death but i think it'd be wrong to

think of him as somehow a quaint little

figure he performed common miracles

associated with many saints such as

curing the sick be the tests with names

to go with the accounts but also

stranger wonders like prayers that

influence the wind saving men from

drowning turning water into wine powers

of prophecy and so on far from our cozy

ideal of a harmless monk cuthbert

earnestly believed as did his brothers

and admirers that he lived on this

island in a state of constant spiritual

warfare against the forces of evil by

all accounts he was a physically strong

man capable of building his own cell and

growing some of his own food being

briefly a soldier in his youth i suppose

this makes sense in 684 whilst living as

a hermit here cuthbert was visited by a

large delegation led by king eggfrith of

northumbria the king came personally to

ask that cuthbert accept his election as

bishop and return at once to the kingdom

bede writes how cuthbert reluctantly

accepted the king's plea and would

advise him in matters of war going at

one point against cuthbert's council the

king would later die in battle trapped

in the hills of eastern scotland

fighting the picts of course many of us

are bound to wince the notion of these

miracles and spiritual warfare between

the forces of good and evil even if we'd

like to believe miracles were still

possible but who at one time or another

hasn't wished to shout like ian mckellen

even just once or twice a few years ago

i wouldn't have given miracles a second

thought dismissed within a second as

superstitious stuff we've disproved with

hashtag facts and logic

we filled in all the blank spots on the

map sean lights on every dark corner

there's probably nothing else

but i began to ponder due in part to

experiences of my own that perhaps there

is an ocean of things i don't know about

this world and what's possible

perhaps we secular western people are

the odd ones out the c.s lewis's book

miracles is a good shot read on that

subject

but i think back to what gk chesterton

wrote in the everlasting man about jesus

of nazareth about miracles and belief

the best thing you'll hear all day i

reckon chesterton writes jesus did

undoubtedly believe in certain things

that one particular modern sect of

materialists do not believe but there

were not things particularly peculiar to

his time it would be nearer the truth to

say that the denial of them is quite

peculiar to our time doubtless it would

be nearer still to the truth to say

merely that a certain solemn social

importance in the minority disbelieving

them is peculiar to our time

he believed for instance in evil spirits

or in the psychic healing of bodily ills

but not because he was a galilean born

under augustus it is absurd to say that

a man believed things because he was a

galilean under augustus when he might

have believed the same things if he had

been an egyptian under tutankhamun or an

indian on the genghis khan it is enough

to say that the materialists have to

prove the impossibility of miracles

against the testimony of all mankind not

against the prejudices of provincials in

north palestine under the first roman

emperors

whilst stood on the island looking for

traces of cuthbert's long gone shelter

or monk's cell imagining him strolling

these cliffs in prayer i felt a sense of

the world that was and perhaps in some

ways beneficial to us a world an

experience of reality that could be

again i heard admiration for parts of it

in the guide at the chapel

living within the natural world not

standing a thought to it elements we

admire in other cultures especially

aboriginal ones but forget once existed

within our own how this experience could

be again exactly i don't know against

the torrent of distracting alienating

technology and more but i did feel then

and there stood in that hazy ether an

inkling that a positive

re-enchanted world could be possible

with faith and more than a little

self-discipline and no doubt a sacrifice

of many material things how amazing i

thought that there was respect for

cuthbert and his bird protection laws

here amongst the young presumably

passionate eco-type conservationist a

christian monk from the 7th century who

believed things that would have him

denounced by our culture today perhaps

there is more in these stories to

discover perhaps not everything before

the industrial revolution was grey scale

drudgery

i'm not someone who's been terribly

motivated by climate issues for my sins

i'll confess it seemed secondary to the

main challenge faced by a lack of a

spiritual center in the west downstream

from that but maybe people might start

to connect those dots it seems obvious

that seeking to move away from filling

the oceans with plastic isn't just for

the benefit of the tides but also for

the benefit of our own souls and as that

evening past that i began to read more

about st cuthbert i've come to believe

uh the miracles beyond the ones we

affirm to in faith with regards to

christ or the miracles up until the end

of the first century and here was

something in my own country in a green

landscape familiar to me a man who

believed in christ

imitated christ in his own way and

worked certain wonders in his own time

cuthbert seemed to have prophesied his

own encroaching death and spent the last

three years of his life back on in a

farn his body and relics quickly became

a source of pilgrimage at the newly

named church of saint cuthbert on the

priory at lindisfarne miracles were

associated with visiting his shrine the

skeptic wants to put this down to

psychological factors a placebo effect

in the mind of the one who was healed i

know as much about chemicals in your

noggin as i do about idadox but i wonder

quite simply what the difference between

a placebo effect is and the power of

faith in the object or person who heals

them

does that power not emanate first from

that which heals as all cultures knew

before the last few hundred years

do we not read that symbol hear that

voice of wisdom i'll be touched by that

hand first after the viking raids and

the collapse of the northumbrian kingdom

faced by the encroaching pagan danes who

had taken the city of york saint

cuthbert's body was moved this story of

his body found to be incorrupt or

undecayed 11 years after his death is a

saga of its own and i visited a cave

said locally to be a place where the

monks of lindisfarne spent the night

with his body after fleeing their

abandoned monastery as their christian

kingdom fell

it's safe to say the vikings were only a

short hiccup in the course of things and

cuthbert's remains ended up in durham

where they rest to this day after that

we stopped at an anglo-saxon museum

depicting life in a time of bead and we

saw the world as these saints knew it we

saw a recreated monk cell and the

crackling fire in the village hall where

all the towns people would meet

after that we ended our pilgrimage at

durham cathedral or to give it its full

title the cathedral church of christ

blessed mary the virgin and saint

cuthbert of durham in the museum which i

couldn't photograph we saw his coffin

engraved with images of christ and his

saints

we saw cuthbert's ivory comb

his portable altar from where he

administered the sacraments and also the

cross which was around his neck until

the coffin was last opened in the 19th

century and finally we stopped at the

moving shrine of saint cuthbert beside

his tomb i obviously didn't wish to

record any video in the shrine itself

but we spent some time there in prayer

and reflection and these photos were

found online

england is an old land shaped by

conflict and revolutions the same as any

in the old world we sort of like to

think that we've been a bit more

sensible than our european neighbors in

the last two centuries perhaps we have

but the innumerable numbers of

desecrated abbeys at the time of the

english reformation startling reminders

across the landscape tell of a different

story in the long run and without

venturing into complex religious history

that i'm ill informed to comment on i

find it astounding that by what i can

only presume to be the grace of god

henry viii's zealous commissioners

tasked with pillaging cathedrals like

this for treasures and destroying the

remains of saints couldn't stoop to

destroy the earthly remains of saint

cuthbert

england's cathedral and church walls

were whitewashed painted images figures

removed forever and statues beheaded in

an era of collective madness but

astonishingly an 11th century wall of

saint cuthbert like his body remains

here in the cathedral i'm going to say

that even in their fervor and

indignation our reformation era zealots

couldn't bear to remove cuthbert's image

or destroy his remains such was his

renown and the place for him in the

story of christianity on these islands

actually the statue beside his tomb

wasn't so fortunate the saint was

exhumed by henry viii commissioners but

on discovering his body still incorrupt

almost a thousand years after his death

they reburied it in its place i wanted

to come up with a snappy ending for this

video but in truth i don't quite know

what to say

i can only repeat that after visiting

holy island and more specifically saint

cuthbert's island on in a farn and

visiting his tomb i feel as though

things may be possible which i hadn't

seen before

getting out into the world seems to have

that effect

we approach the past from the place in

which we stand today and i approached

the grave of saint cuthbert as a man

born in the early 1990s in a world which

is changing so rapidly one can scarcely

remain above water

a world which presents a facade of

progress and comfort to thinly veil a

collapsing order held together by

systems and a faded memory of world wars

one in which is the poet leonard cohen

sang we have overturned the order of the

soul

and as i knelt in prayer before the

ancient saint feeding the eyes of

slightly puzzled tourists fall upon me

i couldn't help wondering what they

thought of me

we're blessed here with thousands of

beautiful churches and buildings on

almost every street corner but churches

that are almost empty museums in many

ways england is an extremely secular

country and none of my family are

practicing christians i knew nothing at

one time of this heritage and the

central figure at the heart of our

civilization this nazarene man who

transformed the world who still

transforms all who listen and mold their

lives around him he who promised that

the kingdom of heaven was within our

midst and to my joy at the end of this

short pilgrimage in search of saint

cuthbert kneeling there at his shrine i

did feel the faith rising within my own

heart as the prospects of what are

possible grow up on my own horizon the

veil of fog lifted to perhaps reveal a

way home

thanks for watching i know there's a

growing interest in st cuthbert out

there again so i invite you to please

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