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The
Arts In Berwick -- Religion
The First Christian mission
Christianity arrived in the area in the form of St.Paulinus (d.644). Born
in Rome he had been one of St.Augustine's team when he arrived in Kent
in 601.
When Princess Aethelburgh of Kent married king Edwin of Northumbria in
625, Paulinus went with her. Edwin and his court were baptised at York
in 627, bringing Roman Christinanity to the pagan kingdom. Paulinus became
Bishop of York in 633 but Edwin was murdered the same year by the pagans
and Paulinus and the Queen fled back to Kent. He later became Bishop of
Rochester.
Within a year King Oswald (605-642) had recaptured the kingdom and invited
St.Aidan (d.651) from Iona to found a monastery on Irish Celtic lines
in 635. A statue of St.Aidan, unveiled in 1958, now stands in Holy Island
Churchyard. He holds a lighted candle to remind us that he relit Christianity
in the North East.
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