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Icon of St. Constantine of
Strathclyde, King, Monk (7th c.)
Feast: Mar. 11
The only son of King Riderch
Hael of Strathclyde and his queen Languoreth, Constantine converted to
Christianity early in life. He succeeded to his father's throne in 612.
But he resigned the throne and became a monk. Living anonymously, his
identity was only discovered because once, while grinding corn, he
chuckled to himself, "Can this be King Constantine, who wore a helm and
shield, drudging at a cornmill?" He was overheard, and encouraged to
become a priest. Later, he succeeded St. Mochuda as abbot of Rahan in
Offaly around the year 636. Still later he returned to Scotland and
founded churches at Kirkconstantine, Kenneil, and Dunnechtyn, and, most
famously, the monastery at Govan on the river Clyde. There he reposed
and was buried. His shrine can still be seen today in the parish church
of that place. Holy Father Constantine, pray to God for us!
Icon: by the hand of Aidan
Hart, Oecumenical Patriarchate, England.
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