In Scotland, the primary expression of the church—or kirk in the Scottish tongue—is the Church of Scotland, which has long been the epitome (and, in many ways, the founder) of the Presbyterian tradition. And yet, an episcopally-governed, liturgical church has long paralleled the state church with its own unique flavor of the Anglican tradition. This…
The Lindisfarne Gospels and the Anglican Ethos of Translation
The Lindisfarne Gospels are an illuminated Gospel book first created around 700 AD on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Now held by the British Library, it is one of the great surviving treasures of the early English Church, broadly appreciated for its precise calligraphy, elegant Celtic designs, jeweled colors, and symbolic art. The manuscript also…
Man, Myth, Missionary: Reconnecting with the Real St. Patrick
I owe St. Patrick an apology. Despite him being my country’s patron saint and having celebrated more St. Patrick’s Days than I can count, I never took him seriously. It didn’t help that a joke was going around school when I was young: “What did St. Patrick say as he was driving the snakes out…
A Brief History of Anglicanism, Part 1
The Anglican tradition traces its roots back to the time of the Roman Empire when a Christian church first came to exist in the British Isles.
The Celtic Heritage of Anglicanism
Anglicanism has origins beyond just the English Church, including luminaries who have contributed through the Celtic traditions.
St. Oswald: the Evangelist King
After a period of embracing Christianity, people in Northumbria returned to the Pagan beliefs they held before the gospel first reached the British shores. It would take a young Christian king returning from exile with a zeal for evangelism to begin a revival of faith that would last for centuries.
Full Circle and Across the Globe: An Anglican Journey
Growing up in Northern Ireland, Anglicanism often felt more like a gang than a religion. It wasn’t just about where your family went on Sunday; it was as much a part of your identity as having red hair, an aptitude for maths, or a brother on the rugby team. We had five churches in our…
St. Aidan and the Legacy of Lindisfarne
Aidan and his companions knew the value, in imitation of Christ, of recharging our physical and spiritual batteries. It goes against the world’s mindset but is vital to our existence in Christ.
The Liturgical Home: St. Patrick’s Day
In my hometown, St. Patrick’s Day was a huge deal! We all wore green to school unless you forgot, in which case I have not-so-great memories of being pinched ALL DAY LONG! Our local Irish pub hosted a huge beer festival and parade that night. Everyone would gather downtown to watch the grand processions of…
