Máedóc of Ferns

Aidan of Ferns (* probably before 550 in Temple Port, County Cavan, † 627 probably in Ferns, County Wexford ) is the founder of the monastery at Ferns and is regarded as the first bishop of the Diocese of Ferns. In the hagiographies incurred from 1200 he is worshiped under the name Maedog, a form of the name, which is derived from Aidan and Aedh, by the worshipful prefix mo (translated: "my" ) prepended and the diminutive óg is added as a suffix of the emphasizes youthfulness of the carrier name. He is considered the patron saint of the diocese of Ferns and. His feast day is January 31.

Written records

The annals mention the Aidan's death, including in addition to the Annals of the Four Masters and the Annals of Ulster, the Annals of Tigernach and the Chronicon Scotorum. Due to confusion with Maedog Clonmore but originated in the annals of Tigernach and the Chronicon Scotorum also entries that refer to a belated year of death. Both the martyrology of Tallaght and the Martyriologie of Oengus, both of which originated 828-833, call Aidan on January 31. The martyrology of Oengus has extensive glosses that give its noble origin at Aidan information and prove that he was a pupil of David Menevia.

The earliest extant hagiography Aidan was born in 1200, in which it is probably a translation into Latin of an original Irish version, but this is no longer maintained. At the time of origin of the Irish original version there are different assumptions. Some believe that these during the reign of the former king of Leinster Máel na mbo began in the 11th century ( 1042-1072 ). However Ó Riain recognizes in the text some Augustinian references and dated so this in the middle or the second half of the 12th century. The motivation for the text was probably in the interest, the importance of Ferns in comparison to rivals in Clonmore (now in County Carlow ) stress. To this effect also helped that one of the Maedog Clonmore assigned stories was included in the hagiography of Aidan with. The earliest surviving text was probably written in Monmouth or Brecon in Wales as part of a collection of Welsh saint and is preserved in the British Library.

From this Vita launched from other texts. Get inter alia, are a native of the 13th century text in Brussels, one dating from the 15th century manuscript in the Primate Marsh's Library, a very similar, derived also from the same period text at Trinity College and two formed in 1350 and 1400 manuscripts in Oxford.

Life

Aidan was the son of Setna to the clan of the Uí Meic Uais, one of the ruling families of the Kingdom of Oriel. His mother Eithne was born into the clan of the Uí Amalgai which were located in what is now the County Mayo belonging area. He was born in Port Iceland in the town of Temple Port, County Cavan. As is usual at that time ruling families, he probably grew up with foster parents and then came at a young age after Menevia in southern Wales, which was then under the control of the originating from the area around Waterford clans of deisi. Here was Aidan one among many Irish who were trained there. Numerous Vitae refer to it like that of Finian of Clonard or Brendan of Clonfert. Probably completed his training with Aidan in the priestly ordination Menevia from.

Then Aidan returned to Ireland, apparently first in the vicinity of today's Ardamine in the north of County Wexford. There and in many other places in the southwest of Ireland church foundations are attributed to him. Likewise, in his home in Drum Lane and in Rossinver, County Leitrim. However, its most important foundation should be of Ferns. The Vitae emphasize the close relationship between Aidan and Brandubh, the then King of Leinster, but this can possibly be traced back to the attempt by the authors to increase Aidan's rank. The connection is also seen as a sign of evolving his time give and take between the ruler and founder of the monastery, in which rulers are the land and it expects that his soul might be saved.

It is assumed that the monastic community like Aidan resulted in Ferns, as was usual at David, who made ​​a habit of the principle of ora et labora, which also included heavy field work. The Vitae tell of how he sows barley, wheat mills and orchards invests. The livestock with cattle and sheep is mentioned.

The place of death of Aidan is controversial, both Ferns and Rossinver take each claim for themselves, but Ferns is considered likely. His burial place is unknown.

Worship

The worship Aidan's surely began in Ferns immediately after his death. But its importance increased only with the distribution of his Vitae from the 12th century. In addition to 31 January, other days of worship are common at some sites. So is his thought of St. Edan 's Well in Clongeen on May 15, in Kilnahue Maodhóg 's day is celebrated on August 15, a tradition dating from the 17th century called the January 3 Rossinver as a memorial ( although this also be a typo could ), and in Wales Aidan is also revered on February 28. The Memorial Aidan is also mentioned in a resulting in Rheinau hagiography to Fintan. Aidan is also mentioned in hagiographies for other saints. So Rhigyfarchs mentioned in 1090 created Vita of David and Aidan as a student. A summary of the CV also appeared in the Nova Legenda Anglie of John of Tynemouth.

Both still in Ferns Cathedral of the Diocese of Cashel and Ossory Church of Ireland and the shifted to Enniscorthy Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns are dedicated to Aidan. Other churches dedicated to him in County Wexford are in Ardamine, Clone, Clongeen, Coolhull and Kilnahue. In Halwyn, Cornwall, him, a chapel was built in honor of 1313, which has not survived. In Pembrokeshire there are also some churches dedicated Madoc, where it is not clear whether that relate to Aidan or a Welsh saint of the same name, which then possibly moved on to Brittany to Cornwall and.