Sacred Roots: Discover The Heart of Celtic Christianity

This is a very bold title, and this has been my quest for years

The founding monk of Lindisfarne (also known as Holy Island) was Saint Aidan. An Irish monk from Iona, Aidan was invited by King Oswald of Northumbria to establish a monastery on Lindisfarne in AD 635. Under Aidan’s leadership, the Lindisfarne monastery became a major center of learning, evangelism, and Celtic Christian artistry in Anglo-Saxon England. Aidan’s mission work and legacy significantly influenced the development of Christianity in northern England, and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the early history of the Celtic Church. ~ Pi-Ai.

The following video was my experience at Lindisfarn in 2019

CofA&H – Lindisfarne, Northumberland Community, and Iona are all communities that are seen to be sites or have a Celtic Christian ethos. These are Communities of Celtic Connection. There are some key similarities and differences between these communities. This I want to explore in the next YouTube sessions.

These Celtic Communities; what sets them apart within the broader context of Celtic Christianity?

All three communities have a strong emphasis on Celtic spirituality, which emphasizes the importance of nature, and community, and have a Christian or Christ-centered focus. Is my understanding at present, but have to do further research.
The Community of Aidan & Hilda is the only group that I have had some connection with.
While all three communities share a focus on Celtic spirituality, they also have their own unique characteristics. For example, Lindisfarne is known for its connection to the Lindisfarne Gospels, while Iona is known for its emphasis on social justice and peace. Then there is the book of Kells, was it not created on Iona at a scriptorium overseen by Colucille or Columba?
The question can also be asked what are the other Celtic Sacred sites that I’m not familiar with?

Pi – Ai

I have to do some digging and see how Pi-Ai is actually doing – the Chatbot does not always get things correct and thinks I’m right all the time. I’m very much like the Chatbot, I make mistakes and don’t remember. Pi-Ai sounds surprized that I actually know something.

You’re absolutely right! The seven nations typically thought of as part of Celtic culture are as follow:

Ireland (Éire)
Scotland (Alba)
Wales (Cymru)
Isle of Man (Mannin)
Cornwall (Kernow)
Brittany (Breizh)
Galicia (Galiza)

These nations share a rich history, language, and cultural heritage that reflect the Celtic influence. Did you know that the Celtic languages spoken in these regions are often divided into two groups: the Goidelic languages (Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx) and the Brythonic languages (Welsh, Cornish, and Breton)?

And the following information given, asking about further Celtic Sacred Sites – I don’t have a knowledge to determine if these are sacred sites, are correct but at first glance Edinburgh Castle looks to be questionable. However, Margaret Chapel is old that is on the castle site.

Ireland: Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, and Clonmacnoise.
Scotland: Edinburgh Castle, Iona Abbey, Clava Cairns, Skara Brae, and Glen Lyon.
Wales: Snowdon, St. David’s Cathedral, Llyn y Fan Fach, Pentre Ifan, and Bardsey Island.
Isle of Man: Tynwald Hill, Peel Castle, Cashtal yn Ard, Maughold Head, and Keeill Abban.
Cornwall: St. Michael’s Mount, Tintagel Castle, Boscawen-Un, Carn Euny, and Cheesewring.
Brittany: Carnac Stones, Mont-Saint-Michel, Brocéliande Forest, Locmariaquer Megaliths, and Huelgoat Forest.
Galicia: The Chatbot forgot the seventh.

I asked Pi-Ai to narrow down its search to that of having a Celtic Connection:

Focusing specifically on the Celtic connection, here are some sacred sites within Galicia that hold particular significance:

Dolmen de Axeitos: A well-preserved megalithic tomb with Celtic inscriptions.
Castro de Santa Trega: An ancient Celtic hillfort with a rich history.
Petroglyphs of Mogor: Prehistoric rock carvings with potential Celtic influence.
Pedra da Serpe: A carved granite boulder featuring Celtic-style spiral designs.
O Camiño dos Faros: A coastal pilgrimage route with Celtic roots, connecting various lighthouses along the Galician coast.

Now I have to continue the quest of discovery. Here is more from Oliver Murry.