Columba, St

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Columba, St (c.521–97). Christian abbot and missionary, trained in Irish monasteries, who, in c.563 established himself and twelve companions on the island of Iona. He remained there as a base for evangelizing the Scottish mainland and establishing monasteries on other nearby islands. Though not a bishop, he exercised ecclesiastical authority in the area, and consecrated the new king of the Scots in 574. He is also known for three Latin poems and for his skill as a scribe. Feast day, 9 June.

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Columba, St

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Columba, St