Saints

Henry was a 12th century Dane who decided to become a hermit abroad, rather than go into an arranged marriage that made him unhappy. The prior of Tynemouth allowed him to settle on Coquet Island, which had once been home a community of monks, during the time of Bede. It was also the place where Cuthbert used to meet Elfleda, abbess of Whitby. Henry lived a very simple life, earning his keep by ... Read More

Saint Paul the Hermit is regarded as the first Christian hermit. He was born in 228 AD. The Life of Saint Paul the First Hermit, was composed in Latin by Saint Jerome, around 376. According to Jerome, Paul fled to the Theban desert as a boy during the persecution of Decius and Valerianus, around AD 250. At that time Paul and his married sister, both of whom lived in the Thebaid, lost their paren... Read More

Abbot. Anthony was born in 251 in Upper Egypt. When he was 20, his parents died, leaving him a large estate. After much prayer Anthony decided to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. His younger sister joined a community of religious women while Anthony went to live in a deserted fort in complete solitude from 286 to 306. During this time he is said to have withstood many temptati... Read More