Byzantium

As the sun rose on our Resurrection Day celebrations, I knew the liberation of a soul set free. During the Service of the Sacraments, I translated Abbot Fraoch's words for the Danemen, and as they spoke the prayer of repentance for the first time, I also repented of my blindness, doubt, and fear. God had not forsaken me, but had upheld me even in my despair. This thought humbled me, and as the abbot raised the chalice from the altar I stood with contrite heart, thinking, Kyrie eleison! Lord have mercy…Christ have mercy!

Then, as our good abb offered the chalice for the renewal of God's eternal blessing, I renewed my priestly vows.

Epilogue

Aidan mac Cai

In the third year of his sojourn among the Danes, Aidan was joined by his great friend and brother, Dugal, who served faithfully by his side for twenty-three years. The two monks spent many long northern nights together remembering their adventures as young men, and it was Dugal who persuaded Aidan to record his experiences for the amusement and edification of their kinsmen and friends in Eire and Britain.

Gu

In the year of Our Lord, 943, Bishop Aidan mac Cai

Though far advanced in years, Bishop Aidan established the Caithair Culdich-Chair of the Culdees, or Cele De-at the Patriarchal School of Constantinople. There he spent his last days as teacher and advisor to the emperor's court, and there the esteemed monk died in the winter of 949, full of grace and wisdom.

Saint Aidan's tomb can be found in the Chapel of the Holy Fathers, in the shadow of the Hagia Sophia. Additional grave markers have been erected in the grounds of each of the four churches begun by him in what is now Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. A small memorial stone can also be found at Kells, and another on the island of Iona, ancient Hy, where some of his bones were taken for burial so that the Celtic Church might ever rejoice in the memory of Aidan mac Cai