It has been great to have spent a few days down in South Galloway, within a decent stones-throw from Whithorn, which is the late 4th century base of St Ninian’s mission to bring the gospel to the South Picts. Ninian’s mission was, without much doubt, the first main apostolic mission to what is now Scotland. Whilst some Christian influence might hae come with the Romans, what comes through from reading The Life of St Ninian, that his hagiographer saw him as coming to ‘put right’ some impure doctrine amongst the Southern Picts. I didn’t assume from that he was just talking about paganism, but some less-than-fully-developed Christian influence.
Now, there are some problems with Ninian. Whilst there’s no doubt that someone with his name cause hundreds of years of pilgrimage to Whithorn, that is well documented, there aren’t any contemporary written sources for Ninian. His hagiography was written by a Northumbrian writer in the early 8th century, so as well as trying to wade through the common features of hagiographies that set these saint’s stories on a high pillar, we’re just not not on firm ground.
That said, it was great to finally make it to Whithorn! To explore the priory site, and to visit the headland where he likely landed from Cumbria was just great. Whilst it can be said that the Columban mission was of deeper significance and impact, Ninian lives on as a bold, early pioneer.
I was able to read The Life of St Ninian in the space of a couple of hours, and there were some great stories there. Firstly, Ninian’s alleged interaction with St Martin of Tours and the beginning of Ninian’s mission dated to the year of Martin’s death. He came to South Pictland with a clear vision to build a shining white stone church to be a light in the darkness. We are still in need of such lights, not so much white buildings, but living temples for the display of God’s glory and wisdom.
What I loved most was some stories of Ninian’s personal ministry – a protector of his people, a hearty care of his flock, both people and actual sheep! But Aelred, the hagiographer, paints a Ninian who comes armed with the purity of the gospel, and the ‘signs following’; the lame walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead rise, and people are liberated from the demonic! The rich, the poor, young and old renounced satan and all his works, and were cleansed in baptism. The people ‘gave thanks to the most merciful God, who in the islands that are far off, had revealed His name, sending them a preacher of truth, a lamp of His salvation; and calling not his people his people, and not beloved beloved, and not having obtained mercy having obtained mercy’.
As it is, 21st century Galloway seems to show more evidence of closed churches than open ones, and one senses that Ninian’s influence has no real significance, in truth. That’s the stark realisation that must come to us. We’re in the days where we need more Ninians, more Columbas, more Brendans, Aidans, Cuthberts, Cadmons, Columbanuses, Finians, Serfs, Blanes, [enter whichever pioneering Celt you like] who will pave new paths for the gospel today, and establish the church as brilliant white displays of the splendour of God. Do it again in our day, Lord.
Andrew S M Clark 