Illuminating Pathways - Religious Education: A Programme of Study for Church Schools and Academies

Snapshots from the Life of St Aidan

Group 1: A long, long time ago… in a land not so very far away!
It seems that the Christian message first came to Britain by traders and
Roman soldiers who were posted to Britain. The first Christian Roman
soldier known to us by name is Alban, who was beheaded outside the
town of Verulamium early in the 3rd Century for hiding a Christian
priest. Almost two hundred years later, St Patrick escaped from being a
slave in Ireland. He then trained to be a priest in England, returned to
Ireland in 431, and went back to Ireland to spread the Christian message.
He also helped build many churches and monasteries there, turning
Ireland into a very important place that would help spread the Christian
message.

Group 2: Englishmen, Irish Men and Scotsmen…

Many missionaries (people who help share the Christian message
throughout the world) began to sail from Ireland to various parts of the
world to tell people about the life and teaching of Jesus. Amongst them
was a man called Columba, who with twelve friends, sailed to the island
of Iona (off the coast of Scotland). From Iona he, and his buddies,
spread the Christian message through western Scotland and throughout
Northumbria.

Group 3: Enter St Aidan…

Some time later, in 635, a monk from Iona called Aidan founded a
monastery (holy place for monks) at a place called Lindisfarne, just off
the Northumberland coast. Aidan, like many monks from Iona, had
decided to give his life to telling others all about Jesus and the Christian
message. He would risk his life as he went about throughout
Northumberland preaching and teaching the people of the North.
Group 4: Northumbria Nights….
Northumbria was a place where there was lots of conflict between the
Celts and the Angles. These two groups of people really didn’t see eye
to eye. Mainly over the issues of land and religion! They were tough
cookies, but it was Aidan’s gentle and loving approach that won them
©Blackburn Diocese Board of Education – Helen Sage 2013 Resource Lesson 4 Unit 7.2 Page 1
©Diocese of Durham Board of Education and Newcastle Diocesan Education Board – Natalie Chapman 2013
Illuminating Pathways - Religious Education: A Programme of Study for Church Schools and Academies

over. His unusual personality and spirit of sacrifice and generosity

towards the poor amazed both Oswald, king of Northumbria, and his
people.

Group 5: Causeway Causes…

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island as it is known today, was Aidan’s home and
a place where he would retreat having spent many hours of his day
sharing his Christian message. Twice a day, when the tide goes out, the
island of Lindisfarne is connected to the mainland (which means it isn’t
really an island!). So, twice a day, Aidan would make sure it was safe to
cross the three miles of safe flat ground and go to the mainland to share
his message. Even today a personal can travel safely to and from the
island either by walking or driving across the safe ground (causeway) as
Aidan would have done. Make sure you check the safe tide times though
– cars have become stuck in the water for trying to cross as the tide is
coming in!

Group 6: Aidan’s Approach…

Aidan was famous for walking miles and miles, for weeks and even
months at a time. He would visit the sick, the dying, the poor and teach
everyone he met about Jesus, the savior of the world. King Oswald was
appreciated Aidan’s work so much that he gave Aidan a prize horse to
help him with his work and on long journeys. One day, however, Aidan
came across a poor beggar on the road who asked him for help. Aidan
immediately gave the poor man his horse. Aidan later explained to
Oswald that the beggar was of greater value than the horse and we
should do everything we can to help those in need.

©Blackburn Diocese Board of Education – Helen Sage 2013 Resource Lesson 4 Unit 7.2 Page 2
©Diocese of Durham Board of Education and Newcastle Diocesan Education Board – Natalie Chapman 2013