Successor to Saint Cuthbert as Bishop of Lindisfarne in 687, Edbert distinguished himself by his charity toward the poor and his deep knowledge of the Scriptures. After presiding over the translation of his predecessor's incorrupt body, he died shortly thereafter, as he had predicted. He is honored on May 6.
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SAINT EDBERT, BISHOP OF LINDISFARNE (718).
Succession and ascetic life
Edbert succeeded Saint Cuthbert in 687, distinguishing himself by his knowledge of the Scriptures, his charity towards the poor, and his rigorous solitary retreats.
Edbert Edbert Bishop of Lindisfarne and successor to Saint Cuthbert. was a holy man who excelled in the knowledge of the divine Scriptures, and who gave the tenth part of his goods to the poor each year. In 687, he succeeded Saint Cuthbert on the episcopal saint Cuthbert Predecessor of Eadberht on the see of Lindisfarne, whose body was found incorrupt. see of Lindisfarne, and gov erned his d Lindisfarne Episcopal see and monastery located on an island in Northumbria. iocese for eleven years with great edification. He had made it a rule to spend Lent and the forty days preceding the feast of Christmas in a solitary place where his predecessor had served God before coming to the island of Farne. Removed duri ng that time île de Farne A place of solitary retreat used by Cuthbert and Eadberht. from the company of men, he kept a rigorous abstinence, and occupied himself only with the exercises of prayer and contemplation.
Translation of relics and passing
After presiding over the translation of the incorrupt body of Saint Cuthbert, Edbert predicted his own death and passed away shortly after, to be buried in the same tomb.
Eleven years after the death of Saint Cuthbert, the monks of Lindisfarne, having found his body whole and without any mark of corruption, as well as the garments in which it was wrapped, asked their bishop for permission to transfer his precious relics. They carried them to his solitude where there was then a portion of the garments that had wrapped the holy body. Edbert ki ssed t Edbert Bishop of Lindisfarne and successor to Saint Cuthbert. hem respectfully, then ordered that the relics of his holy predecessor, enclosed in a brand-new chest, be placed in the sanctuary, above the level of the floor. "The tomb," he added, "sanctified by such a miracle, will not remain empty for long." By this he indicated his approaching death. Indeed, he fell dangerously ill, and died on the following May 6th. He was buried in the tomb of Saint Cuthbert, and several miracles were performed through his intercession. He is named on this day in the Roman Martyrology.
Historical sources
The life of Saint Edbert is documented primarily by the writings of Bede the Venerable.
See Be da, Beda Anglo-Saxon monk and historian, primary source for the narrative. Hist., bk. III, ch. 25; bk. IV, ch. 29, ch. 30, and in vita sancti Cuthberti.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Succeeded Saint Cuthbert to the see of Lindisfarne in 687
- Governed the diocese for eleven years
- Annual forty-day retreats before Christmas and during Lent
- Translation of the relics of Saint Cuthbert
- Died on May 6 after a short illness
Miracles
- Incorruptibility of the body of his predecessor Cuthbert observed during his episcopate
- Gift of prophecy regarding his own death
- Several miracles performed through his intercession after his death
Quotes
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The tomb, sanctified by such a miracle, will not remain empty for long
Source text (words attributed to Edbert)