Saint Cuthbert: England’s Saint-- PART SEVEN

CUTHBERT'S LEGACY

Some years ago I visited both Lindisfarne and Cuthbert’s tomb at Durham. The cathedral museum displays his coffin, pectoral cross, vestments and other items. I was struck by the inclusion of so humble an object as a small ivory comb; this would have been a necessary item for a bishop to have on hand so that he might present himself decently to serve the divine offices after vesting. The brilliantly illustrated Lindisfarne gospel book, made at Lindisfarne in the late 7th Century in honor of Cuthbert, is now housed at the British Library in London.

Some 135 churches in Britain bear the name of Cuthbert, as well as others around the world; and both tourists and sincere pilgrims visit his tomb and other holy sites associated with him. Nor is the Orthodox Church in Britain slow to honor this greatest of English saints, and you may find icons of him in many places. Perhaps most amazing of all in this post-Christian era, a long distance walking route today is named Saint Cuthbert’s Way, winding through the Scottish Borders and north England from the former site of the monastery at Melrose, past a cave where Cuthbert’s body was hidden from the Vikings, and across the tidal sands on the path known as the Pilgrim’s Way to Lindisfarne.

As for Cuthbert’s beloved retreat in the Farne Islands, it is now a nature reserve administered by the National Trust, boasting a vast number of species of birds and other wildlife. Among the humblest members of the Northumbrian bishop’s flock, the eider ducks are still known in the area today by the affectionate name Cuddy (Cuthbert’s) ducks.

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE STARTING WITH PART ONE