Columba - Hero of ScotlandIona is a beautiful and remote island off the west coast of Scotland. Here, in the middle of the 6th century, Columba arrived from Ireland and founded a Christian community. A Christian Church had already been established by Ninian at Whithorn during the previous century, but Columba’s missionaries reached the far north.
Small communities of Christians were started and Celtic crosses marked the places where people would gather to listen to preaching. Christianity softened the harsh rule of many tribal chiefs. Columba died in 597 but the community continued to flourish. In 635 King Oswald of Northumbria asked for missionaries from Iona to teach his people about Christianity. Aidan was sent and he build a monastery at Lindisfarne. From here the message spread to northern and Eastern England and into the Midlands. Columba, Aidan and their fellow monks lived out what they preached - lives of peace, prayer, simplicity and love. 
A tenth Century Celtic stone cross - typical of many that survive today. Click Here to find out more
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