Blathmac

Blathmac was an Irish monk, killed for the faith by Viking raiders around 823 on the altar steps of the church on Iona. He is a martyr and saint venerated in the West and in the Orthodox Church.

He was born in Ireland around 750, into a noble family. His story is known from the life written by Walafrid Strabo, abbot of Reichenau (824 to 849). Strabo describes him as a warrior prince, a future king of his people, who gave up his inheritance to enter monastic life. His Latinized name was Florentius, from the Irish bláth, "flower".

He became abbot of an Irish monastery and in 824 left to join the community of monks at Iona, the community of Saint Columba. While the abbot Diarmait took most of the community to Kells to put it in safety, he remained as prior. Anticipating another Viking attack, he hid what remained of the relics of Columba. Not long afterwards the Danes ravaged the island. One morning, as he was celebrating the Liturgy, they entered the church. Blathmac refused to show them the relics or the Brecbannoch, the shrine of Saint Columba, and was hacked to pieces on the altar steps. His body was reverently buried on the spot, and miracles are said to have been worked through his intercession. His commemoration falls on 15 January.