Iona Abbey
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One of the oldest and most important religious centres in Western Europe, Iona Abbey is considered the point of origin for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland.[citation needed]
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[edit] Location
Iona Abbey is located on the Isle of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland and marks the foundation there, by St. Columba, of a monastic community.
[edit] History
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In 563, Columba came to Iona from Ireland and founded a monastery which grew quickly and soon became one of the largest religious centres in western Europe. Monks from Iona set up other religious centres as far away as Switzerland.
The Book of Kells, a famous illuminated manuscript, was produced by the monks of Iona in the years leading up to 800. The Chronicle of Ireland was also produced at Iona until about 740.
In 806, everyone at the abbey was found dead. This has been attributed to a Viking massacre. Three other Viking attacks are recorded within eleven years of this date.
By the 13th century, Iona had become a Benedictine establishment. Another Benedictine foundation, the Iona Nunnery, was established nearby in 1203.
With the advent of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, Iona along with numerous other abbeys throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland were closed or destroyed. Many of Iona's buildings were demolished.
In the 19th Century, Iona was granted to the Church of Scotland, which undertook extensive restoration of the site. In 1938, the Reverend George MacLeod led a group which rebuilt the abbey, and founded the Iona Community. This ecumenical Christian community continues to use the site to this day.
The site was much loved by John Smith, Leader of the Labour Party. After his sudden death in 1994, he was buried on Iona.
[edit] Items of Interest
Many early Scottish kings and chiefs, as well as kings from Ireland, Norway and France are buried in the Abbey graveyard. (There are thought to be 48 kings there.) These include Duncan - the victim of Macbeth. The more recent grave of John Smith can also be seen.
Several high crosses are to be found on the Isle of Iona. St Martin's Cross (dated to the 8th Century) still stands by the road side. A replica of St John's Cross is found by the doorway of the Abbey. The restored original is located in the Infirmary Museum at the rear of the abbey.
The contemporary Jedburgh-based sculptor Christopher Hall worked for many years on carvings on the cloisters of the abbey, which represent birds, flora and fauna native to the island. More recently Hall was responsible for carving John Smith's gravestone.
[edit] See also
- Abbot of Iona, for a list of the pre-Benedictine abbots
- Abbot of Iona (Benedictine), for a list of the Benedictine abbots and commendators
[edit] External links
- Iona Abbey - site information from Historic Scotland
- Iona Community
- Iona Abbey website
- School of Iona Catholic Encyclopedia article
