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Iconic drawing of St. Elvis
(Ailbhe), Bishop of Emly in Ireland
Feast: September 12
When
St. Patrick arrived in Ireland, St. Elvis was already an active Bishop.
He founded a monastery in Emly. It is said that he implored the King of
Cashel to grant the Aran islands to the newly arrived St. Enda of Aran,
disciple of St. Ninian of Whithorn. St. Elvis was also one of the
earliest Saints of Ireland to sail northwards in search of "white
martyrdom" (voluntary exile for Christ's sake). He landed at "farthest
Thule," that is, Iceland, where he reposed. On their voyages, St.
Brendan and his monks later visited those monks of St. Elvis' community
who were still alive, describing their way of life to be so thoroughly
centred upon Christ as to approximate the life of those that dwell in
Paradise.
Icon is of unknown
provenance; it was published in the St. Herman Calendar for 2001.
Beneath are shown first the modern parish church at Emly, where St.
Elvis had been bishop, and second the holy well of St. Elvis there.
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