Skip to content
Thursday, November 12
Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite
Sinaxarion

Saint

Etchen of Clonfad

Bishop of Clonfad

Irish bishop of Clonfad, reposed in 577, who by tradition ordained Saint Columba.

Feast
February 11old style February 24
Reposed
5776th century
Place
Clonfad
Order
Hierarchs

Life

Saint Etchen of Clonfad, Bishop (Etchenius, Ecian or Echen) was born around the year 490 and founded a monastery at Clonfad in County Westmeath, in Ireland. Tradition says that he ordained Saint Columba to the priesthood and that he had to leave his plough in the middle of the field to perform the ordination.

He reposed in peace on 11 February 577 and was buried in his monastery at Clonfad. That day is his feast in Ireland. The church of St Etchen at Killucan and the school at Kinnegad bear his name. He is a saint of the undivided Church, honoured locally.

Commemorated the same day February 11