Lasrén mac Feradaig facts for kids
Lasrén mac Feradaig (also known as Laisrén or Lasrén of Iona) was an important Irish monk who lived a long time ago. He became the third leader, or abbot, of a famous monastery called Iona. This was around the years 600 to 605.
Lasrén followed another abbot named Baíthéne. He was also related to Saint Columba, who was a very well-known figure in the early Christian church. Lasrén's father, Feradach, was Columba's cousin. This means they were part of the same important family group, the Cenél Conaill.
Early Life and Work
Lasrén was a close friend and companion of Saint Columba. He traveled with Columba, for example, through a place called Ardnamurchan in Scotland around the year 572.
Later, Lasrén was put in charge of another monastery that Columba had founded. This was the monastery of Durrow in the middle of Ireland. It was probably started in the 580s or 590s.
The Story of the Building Work
While Lasrén was at Durrow, he was in charge of a big building project. Saint Columba, who was at Iona, somehow knew that Lasrén was making the monks work too hard. Columba became sad and started to cry because of this.
But then, something amazing happened. Lasrén suddenly felt a strong feeling, "as if kindled with an inward fire." He stopped all the work for the rest of the day. He made sure the monks had a good meal and rested. He would do this again on other occasions too.
Because of Lasrén's kindness, Columba stopped crying. He blessed Lasrén and called him "the consoler of the monks." This story shows that Lasrén was remembered as a kind and caring person. It also suggests that people believed he was meant to become the abbot of Iona.
His Time as Abbot
Lasrén became the abbot of Iona around the year 600. He led the monastery for about five years.
His Legacy
Lasrén passed away in the year 605. His death is recorded in old Irish historical records called the Annals of Ulster. People remembered him on his special day, September 16th.
His family continued to play important roles at Iona. The fifth abbot of Iona, named Ségéne, was Lasrén's nephew. And the seventh abbot, Cumméne, was his great-nephew. This shows how important Lasrén and his family were to the history of Iona.
