JUNE 09
He was born to a prominent noble family, the Ui-Niall clan of Ireland, but he forsook all worldly things and became a monk at a young age. He founded the monasteries of Derry and Durrow, and traveled as a missionary in Ireland for almost twenty years. In 565 he settled on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland; there he remained for 32 years, establishing the famous monastery of Iona and continuing in his missionary labors. He reposed in peace at Iona.
He was born to a prominent noble family, the Ui-Niall clan of Ireland, but he forsook all worldly things and became a monk at a young age. He founded the monasteries of Derry and Durrow, and traveled as a missionary in Ireland for almost twenty years. In 565 he settled on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland; there he remained for 32 years, establishing the famous monastery of Iona and continuing in his missionary labors. He reposed in peace at Iona.
Troparion — Tone 5
By your God-inspired life / You embodied both the mission and the dispersion of the Church, / Most glorious Father Columba. / Using your repentance and voluntary exile, / Christ our God raised you up as a beacon of the True Faith, / An apostle to the heathen and an indicator of the Way of salvation. / Wherefore O holy one, cease not to intercede for us / That our souls may be saved.
