The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Religion
The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Ciaran, Saint, abbot of Clonmacnois
4. The holy boy Kyaranus, as he kept the flocks of his parents, was
wont to read the Psalms with Saint Diarmatus. But that teaching was
imparted in a manner to us most wondrous. For Saint Kiaranus was
keeping the flocks in the southern part of the plain of Aei, and Saint
Diarmatus was dwelling in the northern part of the same plain, and the
plain was of great extent between them. And thus, from afar off, they
would salute each the other at ease, with words, across the spaces of
the plain; and the elder would teach the boy from his cell across the
plain, and the boy would read, sitting upon a rock in the field. The
which rock is reverenced unto this day, as the Cross of Christ, called
by the name of Kyaranus, is placed upon it. Now thus by divine favour
were the holy ones wont to hear each the other, while others heard
them not.
IX. HOW CIARAN RESTORED A CALF WHICH A WOLF HAD DEVOURED
5. On a day when Saint Kyaranus was keeping the herds, a cow gave
birth to a calf in his presence. Now in that hour the dutiful boy saw
a wretched wasted hungry wolf a-coming towards him, and God's servant
said to him, "Go, poor wretch, and devour that calf." Forthwith the
famished hound fell upon the calf and devoured it. But when the holy
herd-boy had come home with his herds, the cow, seeking her calf, was
making a loud outcry; and when Derercha, mother of Saint Kyaranus, saw
it, she said unto him, "Kyaranus, where is the calf of yonder cow?
Restore it, although it be from sea or from land. For thou has lost
it, and its mother's heart is sore vexed." When Saint Kyaranus heard
these words, he returned to the place where the calf was devoured,
and collected its bones into his breast; then returning, he laid them
before the cow as she lamented. Straightway, by divine mercy, by
reason of the holiness of the boy, the calf arose before them all, and
stood whole upon its feet, sporting with its mother. Then those who
stood by lifted up their voices in praise to God, blessing the boy.
V. HOW CIARAN WAS DELIVERED FROM A HOUND
6. As the dutiful boy Kyaranus was going out to a homestead hard by,
certain worldly men, cruel and malignant, let loose a most savage
hound at him, so that it should devour him. When Saint Kyaranus saw
the fierce hound coming towards him, he appropriated a verse of the
Psalmist, saying, "Lord, deliver not the soul that trusteth in Thee
unto beasts." Now as the hound was rushing vehemently, by divine
favour it thrust its head into the ring-fastening of a calf; and tied
by the ring-fastening, it struck its head against the timber to which
the fastening was hanging, and thus it broke its head. Its head being
broken and the brains scattered, the dog expired. When they saw this
they feared greatly.
X. HOW CIARAN WAS DELIVERED FROM ROBBERS
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account