Kessog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Kessog |
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|---|---|
| Born | c. 460 at Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland |
| Died | March 10, 520 Bandry, Scotland |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Feast | March 10 |
| Attributes | in a soldier's habit, holding a bow bent with an arrow in it |
| Patronage | Lennox and Scotland |
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Saint Kessog was an important Irish missionary who lived in the mid-500s. He worked in the Lennox area and southern Perthshire in Scotland. Kessog was the son of a king from Cashel in Ireland. People believed he could perform miracles even when he was a child.
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Kessog's Journey to Scotland
Saint Kessog left Ireland to become a missionary bishop in Scotland. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious beliefs. Kessog used Monks' Island in Loch Lomond as his main base. From there, he taught Christianity to people in the areas nearby.
Sadly, Kessog was killed for his faith. This happened around the year 520 AD, supposedly at a place called Bandry. There, a pile of stones was known as St Kessog's Cairn, marking the spot where he died.
Places Named After Saint Kessog
Many places in Scotland are named after Saint Kessog, showing how important he was.
Churches and Christian Presence
The St Kessog's Church in Luss, a village on the banks of Loch Lomond, is named after him. Inside this church, you can find a statue of the saint. There is also a Roman Catholic church in the nearby town of Balloch that carries his name.
It is believed that Kessog brought Christianity to the Luss area around 510 AD. In 2010, people celebrated 1500 years of continuous Christian presence in that area, thanks to his early work.
Other Scottish Connections
In other parts of Scotland, old churches were also dedicated to Kessog. These include medieval churches in Auchterarder and Comrie, both in Perthshire. It's possible that Kessog or one of his followers started these churches.
A more recent church from the 1800s in Callander is also called St Kessog's. Near Callander, there's a round hill by the River Teith named "Tom na Chessaig." This name means "the Hill of Kessog" in a form of Gaelic.
Even the Kessock area of Inverness is named after the saint. There's also an oil field in the North Sea called Kessog, which shows his name is still used today.
Saint Kessog's Legacy
Soldiers especially respected Saint Kessog. He is often shown in pictures wearing military clothes, holding a bow and arrows. This shows his connection to soldiers.
A special bell belonging to Saint Kessog was considered a sacred relic. A relic is an object from a holy person that is kept and honored. As late as 1695, this bell was still listed among important items belonging to the Earldom of Perth, showing its lasting value.
