Cedd of Lastingham

Saint Cedd of Lastingham was a missionary and bishop in seventh-⁠century England, born in 620 into a noble Northumbrian family. The eldest of four brothers, all of whom became priests, he studied from an early age at Lindisfarne, where he became familiar with Irish monasticism, and continued his studies in Ireland. Bishop Finan of Lindisfarne sent him to preach to the people of Essex. Cedd baptized many of the locals, built churches and founded monasteries at Bradwell-⁠on-⁠Sea and East Tilbury.

Consecrated Bishop of Essex, he set the seat of his diocese at Saint Paul's in London. He remained attached to his northern homeland and visited it often. In 658 King Aethelwald of Deira, finding him a good and wise man, asked him to accept land at Lastingham in Yorkshire for a monastery. Cedd agreed, cleansed the place with fasting and prayer, and laid the foundations. He was the first abbot of Lastingham and remained so while still caring for his flock in Essex.

He died at Lastingham in 664, during a great plague that also took his brother Cynebil. He was buried under the altar of a small stone church dedicated to the Mother of God. His relics were later moved to Lichfield Cathedral, built by his brother Chad. He is commemorated on 7 January (new style; 20 January on the old calendar).