Justinian of Ramsey Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Justinian |
|
|---|---|
| Confessor | |
| Born | 5th century Brittany |
| Died | 6th century Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox church Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion |
| Major shrine | St David's Cathedral |
| Feast | 5 December |
Saint Justinian (also known as Welsh: Stinan, Jestin, or Iestin) was a holy man from the 500s. He chose to live a quiet life as a hermit (someone who lives alone for religious reasons) on Ramsey Island. This island is located near St. David's in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Contents
The Story of Saint Justinian
People say that Justinian was a nobleman from Brittany, a region in France. He decided to live on Ramsey Island as a hermit. He was very dedicated to his faith. He would stand in the cold sea for hours, praying. He believed this tough practice helped him focus on God.
Meeting Saint David
One day, Saint David visited Justinian. Saint David was very impressed by Justinian's holiness. Because of this, he made Justinian his confessor (a spiritual advisor) and the abbot (leader) of the monastery on the mainland.
However, Justinian became unhappy with the monks at St. David's. He felt they were not serious enough about their spiritual lives. So, he moved back to the quiet Ramsey Island to start a more holy community. Some of his loyal monks followed him.
A Sad End
Legend says that Justinian was sadly killed by some people who were unhappy with his strict rules. It is said he was beheaded.
The story continues that after he was killed, he picked up his own head. He then walked across the water of Ramsey Sound, carrying his head in his arms. His body was buried in a small, ruined chapel. This chapel still stands on the mainland at St Justinian's, right across from Ramsey Island. Later, his bones were moved to St Davids Cathedral.
During a time called the Reformation, a bishop named William Barlow did not like the practice of honoring holy objects or going on pilgrimages. In 1538, he tried to stop people from honoring Saint David. He took away the jewels from Saint David's shrine and also took the holy objects of Saint David and Saint Justinian. He did this to try and stop what he called "superstition."
Honoring Saint Justinian
Justinian's name appears in very old Welsh calendars of saints and martyrs. This shows he has been honored for a very long time.
Archaeologists have found signs of an early medieval church site on Ramsey Island. There might have been a chapel there that was dedicated to Saint Justinian. It is thought to have been at the southern end of the island.
Places Named After Him
The area called St Justinian in St Davids and the Cathedral Close is named after him. You can find St Justinian's Well there. This is a stone enclosure from the 1800s built over an old spring. The bay where St Justinian is located is called Porthstinian.
The church of St Just in Roseland is also named for him. The Anglican church at Llanstinan, near Fishguard, is dedicated to him too. There is also a small church at Freystrop, near Haverfordwest, that is dedicated to Saint Justinian.
