[This portrait in the British Library is from a 12th century copy of Bede working on his biography of St. Cuthbert.] Bede, a monk in Northumbria, England, was born in 673 and died on May 25 in 735, so today is his commemoration. He was ordained a deacon at 19 and a priest at 30; he was made a Doctor of the Church in 1899. He’s known as Venerable, because he’s worthy of respect. “I have devoted my energies to a study of the Scriptures, observing monastic discipline, and singing the daily services in church; study, teaching, and writing have always been my delight.” Here are some of his firsts: • first person to write scholarly works in English • wrote the first account of martyrs with historical notes • first historical writer to use Anno Domini to date materials • first writer who pointed out that the solar year isn’t 365 days long Bede also wrote in Latin, the language of the educated, of the Church and government. He translated the Gospel of John into Old English; he finished it the day he died. He wrote commentaries, letters, and hymns. “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing,” written for Ascension, is in The Hymnal 1982. He wrote books on grammar and astronomy. He knew that Earth is a sphere. Much of what we know about early history in England is because Bede wrote a book, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which provides the history of England from the time of Julius Caesar until 597. It covers the Celts’ conversion during the first three hundred years after Jesus, as well as the 5th and 6th century invasion of Anglo-Saxons, who were converted by both Celtic and Roman missionaries. Centuries after his death, his bones were moved to Durham Cathedral, where they remain. The Church has given us a prayer for Bede: Almighty God, who has enriched your Church with the learning and holiness of your servant Bede: Grant us to find in Scripture and disciplined prayer the image of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and to fashion our lives according to his likeness, to the glory of your great Name and the benefit of your holy church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Saints Alive!
I have been privileged to offer Noonday Prayer at my church, usually on Thursdays, which doesn’t matter because it’s on Youtube forever. [It’s amazing what can be done with a smartphone and a smart, helpful parish administrator!] The service is brief, with a place for a meditation. We usually look at the Episcopal calendar of saints, who are nearly always honored on their death dates, not their birth dates. Here is a hymn by medieval saint Hildegard of Bingen to set the mood.
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