Saint Ninian ( c.362-432) Feast day 16th September

Saint Ninian ( known by 9 other names). Indisputable evidence that he was successful with the conversion of the Celts to Christianity is the numerous churches dedicated to him in parts of Scotland and northern England

‘* Probably ’ 'tradition ’ variations’ will be used often in this text since very little is actually known about him.

The Venerable Bede in his 8th century Ecclesiastical History of the English People is our earliest source. Bede said that he named his episcopal see after Saint Martin of Tours. ( other accounts suggest he met the French patron on return to Scotland). He implies that Saint Ninian began the conversion of the Picts based on accounts of the period which may not be be entirely trustworthy.

He was born in Galloway, Scotland. By tradition his father, probably gave his son to the Romans for good behaviour as was the custom then. He was therefore educated in Rome. There he decided to return to Scotland to teach Christianity.
The Pope made him Bishop of the Southern Picts. For this reason he is known as the Apostle to the Southern Picts.

He made his headquarters at Whithorn. Saint Ninian was the first bishop of Galloway. In 396 he built a church called Ad Candidam Casam or ’ at the white house. He dedicated the house to Saint Martin on the hearing of the saint’s death.

In medieval times his tomb in the church at Whithorn was a great place of pilgrimage.

Variations assert that he left Scotland for Ireland and died there in 432.

Aeired in the 12th century wrote A life of Saint Ninian. He attributes 10 miracles to saint Ninian, 6 of them during the saint’s lifetime

If you go to Whithorn today you can see the place where Saint Ninian had his monastery and the cave.

Saint Ninian was The Apostle to the Southern Picts.

Sources used - wikipedia BBC News Biography of undiscovered Scotland

• The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander