This saint was of princely birth, and a native of Ireland. In early youth he renounced all the attractions of wealth and honour and entered a monastery. Here for his many virtues he was chosen abbot, and ruled his flock with wisdom and prudence. But from his youth he had longed for martyrdom, and though he had often begged leave from his superiors to preach the Faith to unbelievers, he could never obtain it. Being at Iona, where he had entered the community as a simple monk on renouncing his charge in Ireland, he announced one day to the brethren in the spirit of prophecy that an irruption of pagan Danes was about to take place. He exhorted those who felt themselves too weak for martyrdom to seek safety in flight. They concealed the shrine of St. Columba's {8} relics, and many of the monks betook themselves to the mainland. Next morning, while Blaithmaic was at the altar, having just offered the Holy Sacrifice, the pagans rushed upon him and the few companions who remained, and slaughtered all except Blaithmaic. They offered him life and liberty if he would show them the shrine of St. Columba with its treasure of gold and gems. But the intrepid martyr refused to betray his trust and was hewn down at the altar. He was buried at Iona on the return of the monks from their place of safety. There is some doubt about the date of his death, some writers place it as late as A.D. 828. 20--St. Vigean or Fechin, Hermit, A.D. 664. The parish of St. Vigean's, Forfarshire, derives its name from this saint, who though called Vigean in Scotland, is no other than the Irish abbot Fechin. He ruled three hundred monks at Fore, in Westmeath. It is not easy to determine his precise connection with Scotland, though from the remains which bear his name it would appear that he spent some time in the country. A hermitage at Conan, near Arbroath, {9} is pointed out as his residence, and the foundations of a small chapel may still be traced. Near them is a spring known as St. Vigean's Well. A fair called by his name was held at Arbroath on this day up to the eighteenth century. Ecclefechan known in Middle Age charters as _Ecclesia Sancti Fechani_ (Church of St. Fechan) takes its name from the same saint. It has acquired celebrity in later times as the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle. St. Fechin was buried in the Monastery of Fore. 25--St. Euchadius, Monk, A.D. 597. This saint was one of the twelve disciples who accompanied St. Columba from Ireland and settled with him upon the island of Iona. He was one of the saint's helpers in the conversion of the Northern Picts. He is said to have written the Acts of St. Columba. It seems probable that St. Euchadius laboured at one time in Galloway, as he received special veneration in that district. This may have been due, however, to relics of the saint preserved there in Catholic ages. {10} 26--St. Conan, Bishop, A.D. 648.