Coarb facts for kids

A coarb was a special leader in the early Christian church in Ireland and Scotland. The word comes from an old Irish word, comarbae, which means "heir" or "successor." Think of them as someone who took over the role or position of an important saint or church founder.

Coarbs were often in charge of a church that was very important or had a lot of land. They were usually lay people, meaning they weren't priests, but they were chosen by bishops. Their job was to look after the church and its lands. Often, these roles were passed down within certain families, almost like a family business, especially if those families were important or powerful.

What Was a Coarb?

In the medieval period (the Middle Ages), a coarb was a unique kind of church official. They were seen as the "heir" to a saint, meaning they continued the work or managed the property connected to that saint. This role was very important in the Gaelic areas of Ireland and Scotland.

Coarbs and Erenachs

Sometimes, the term "coarb" was used in a similar way to "erenach." An erenach was also a lay person who protected a church and managed its lands. They were often the head of the family that had traditionally looked after that church. However, coarbs usually managed churches that were more important or had more land. These roles were often passed down through families, especially those connected to important local leaders or even old royal families.

The Coarb of Saint Columba

One of the most famous examples was the coarb of St Columba. Saint Columba was a very important Irish saint who spread Christianity in Scotland. The "coarb of Columba" was the title given to the abbots (leaders of a monastery) who followed in Columba's footsteps.

When Viking raiders attacked the monastery on Iona in the 800s, the monks moved to Kells in Ireland. Their abbot still kept the title of coarb. This showed that he was the direct successor to Saint Columba. Many of the early abbots were even members of Columba's own family.

What Did the Coarb of Columba Do?

The abbot who held the title of coarb of Columba was the head of a monastery that followed Saint Columba's rules. This abbot was usually a priest who could celebrate Mass (a Christian church service). Their main job was to lead and care for their community of monks. Over time, there was a system where both a Bishop and an Abbot of Iona existed. However, after the Protestant Reformation and the time when monasteries were closed down, this system eventually stopped being used.