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Saint Cuthbert's Cross with yellow gold detail (choice of gemstones available) prices from £ 70 Also available in gold - price on request. Saint Cuthbert was born c.634 A.D., and even as a young boy seemed to be destined for high office. One night when a young man, Cuthbert was out on the hillside keeping sheep. Whilst at his prayers he suddenly saw a great light and a choir of angels descending to earth. They took back with them "a soul of exceeding brightness". Next day Cuthbert learned that Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, had died the previous night, and he immediately decided to become a monk. |
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| Cuthbert spent many of his early years at Melrose, undertaking long missionary journeys. Following the synod of Whitby in 664, Eata, Abbot of Melrose, moved to Lindisfarne, taking Cuthbert with him. Cuthbert continued his missionary work, but longed for more time to devote to meditation and prayer. In 676 he retired to the inhospitable Farne Islands and there made his cell. | |
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Cuthbert refused a bishopric many times, but in 685 agreed to become Bishop of Lindisfarne. Immediately after Christmas 686 Cuthbert returned to his hermitage on Farne Island, and there he died on 20th March, 687. His body was taken to Lindisfarne. After many raids by the Danes the monks fled, taking Cuthbert's body with them. After years of wandering their successors eventually brought it to Durham in 995, and commenced building the first Cathedral. St. Cuthbert's tomb is still in Durham Cathedral, behind the High Altar. |