Cuthbert, Saint (634?-687), was a famous monk , preacher, hermit , and bishop in Northumbria , a kingdom that included what are now northern England and southern Scotland . He left no writings. Some details about his life were recorded in early biographies by the English historian and theologian Saint Bede and an anonymous monk. A theologian is someone who studies God and religion. Both writers included some pious legendary stories in their accounts.
In 651, Cuthbert decided to become a monk in the monastery of Melrose in what is now southern Scotland . Cuthbert and other monks from Melrose helped found a new monastery at Ripon, near York , England, in 661. They later left Ripon and returned to Melrose because they celebrated Easter on a date based on Celtic church custom. The king of Northumbria wanted Ripon to follow the custom of the church in Rome instead. The date of Easter was a divisive issue at the time. Cuthbert then became prior (head) of the monastery at Melrose.
About 664, Cuthbert became prior at the monastery of Lindisfarne, on Lindisfarne island, off the northeast coast of England. He became widely known for his simplicity and virtuous living. About 676, he left the monastery to live a more solitary life as a hermit on the nearby island of Farne .
In 685, King Ecgfrith of Northumbria and Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury , together with monks and clergy from Lindisfarne, convinced Cuthbert to become bishop in Lindisfarne. As bishop, Cuthbert wore simple clothes, ruled with humility, preached the gospel, and protected the poor. By early 687, Cuthbert realized that he would not live much longer. He stepped down as bishop and resumed the life of a hermit on Farne. He died there on March 20, 687.
Cuthbert was buried at the monastery of Lindisfarne. By 698, many pilgrims were visiting Cuthbert’s burial site, and he was widely considered a saint. The various peoples of Northumbria, who had been divided among themselves, began developing a more common identity, partly because they all admired Cuthbert. Cuthbert’s body was removed from Lindisfarne because of the Viking attacks of the 700’s and 800’s. Today, pilgrims visit his relics in Durham Cathedral, in Durham, England. Relics are the remains of a holy person. Cuthbert is one of England’s most famous saints. He is considered the patron saint of northern England.
