St. Etchen (Etchenius, Ecian or Echen; 490 – 11 February 577) was an Irish Abbot who founded a monastery in Clonfad, County Westmeath.[1][2]
Saint Etchen | |
|---|---|
 Saint Etchen, the Farmer Bishop | |
| Born | 490 Leinster, Ireland |
| Died | 11 February 577 (aged 86–87) Clonfad, Ireland |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 11 February |
| Attributes | farming |
| Patronage | Clonfad, Farmers |
Traditional narrative
editLegend states that Etchen ordained Columba into the priesthood, and that he had to stop in the middle of ploughing a field to perform the act.[3][4][5]
Death
editEtchen died on 11 February 577AD of natural causes. He was buried at his monastery in Clonfad.[6] His date is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Etchen in Ireland.[7]
Veneration
editA number of local schools and churches are named after St. Etchen, including:
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Saint Etchen of Clonfad". 11 February 2015.
- ^ "St.Etchen the Farmer Bishop Pray for us!". Church of the Assumption. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ Stevens, Paul. "Clonfad - an industrious monastery (And selected chapters) 2012".
- ^ Stevens, Paul (January 2010). "For whom the bell tolls: The monastic site at Clonfad 3, Co. Westmeath". Creative Minds.
- ^ Watkins, Basil. The Book of Saints
- ^ Todd, James Henthorn (1864). "St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland".
- ^ "St. Etchen of Clonfad Biography". Catholic Readings. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Scoil Etchen Naofa". scoiletchen.com.