Finnian of Clonard
Finnian of Clonard ( Cluain Eraird ), born as Finnio moccu Telduib (* 470 in Myshall, today County Carlow, Leinster Province, Ireland, † December 12 549 ), Saint, was an Irish missionary, founder of the monastery of Clonard control there bishop. He is referred to as a teacher of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Surnames
Finnian of Clonard is or was called in Ireland also Finian, Fionan, find and Fionnán; Latinized Findianus, Finnianus, Finninus, Finanus, Vennianus, Vinniaus, Uinnianus and Vinnianus; English also Finian, Vinnian and Winnian.
Early life
Finnian was born in Myshall the son of originating from an Irish nobility line Rudraigh. His mother came from the province of Leinster Telach. As a young man he came under the influence of Foirtchernn ( Foirtgirn ) of Trim, on whose advice he went to Wales to be trained by the local teachers of Celtic Christianity in the teachings of Saint Patrick. He studied with the Holy Gildas and the St. Cadoc in Llancarfan, Glamorgan.
Following the long stay in Wales - according to the Codex Salmanticensis, a chronicle of Irish saint, should these 30 years, granted - he returned to Ireland and moved preaching and teaching from place to place. Finnian founded monasteries and schools: His first creation was in Aghowle, County Wicklow today. Noteworthy is the founding of a monastery on the island lying off the Irish coast Skellig Michael (Irish Sceilg Mhichil, also known as Great Skellig known), today after a subsequent extension of the Monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Foundation of the monastery of Clonard
To 520 he went to Cluain Eraird ( Clonard, County Meath today ) on the River Boyne. Finnian built here initially a small church and accommodation of wood and clay, which was later replaced by a stone building. He devoted himself to prayer and study; his ascetic way of life, his piety and his knowledge created a far -acting beyond the region reputation. Laity and clergy, to bishops, now attracted to Finnian after Clonard. According to records to have been taught simultaneously by Finnian up to three thousand students. Finnian unsurpassed interpretation of Scripture the exceptional popularity of his lectures is attributed. In Clonard, he was ordained a bishop.
Finnian of Clonard shall be considered together with the Holy Enda of Aran as one of the fathers of Irish monasticism in the Celtic period. Among the students of Finnian included the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, including the saints Columba of Iona. Clonard Monastery gained its importance for the iroschottische Church by the large number of students, which in other places founded new monasteries later.
Finnian died as a result of Pester incidence. His grave is in his church in Clonard. The relics of Finnian were kept until the destruction of the shrine in the year 887 in Clonard.
Aftereffect
Remembrance
- Roman Catholic: December 12
The Memorial of St. Finnian of Clonard is first found in a Spanish calendar of saints of the 9th century.