St. Illtyd - November 6th

Like many of the early Celtic saints of the dark ages, details of Illtyd’s life are at best, sketchy. There is a 12th century ‘Life of Illtyd’ written in Latin which draws from and expands on earlier details of his life, emphasizing the miraculous nature of some of the things he did.

Sceptics will say that much of this is a work of fiction as miracles underline his authenticity as a true saint of God and worthy of veneration. Believers would say that there is no smoke without some fire and point to the existence of an age which was more believing and comfortable with the miraculous than today’s scientific age. So more faith, more miracles, less faith, less miracles.

As a Christian I will always lean towards belief in miracles for several reasons. First, Jesus performed miracles during his life, and his disciples after him. Second, Jesus clearly dead, rose again from the dead. Lastly, Jesus promised his Church: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

These words were fulfilled after the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples following Jesus’ Ascension —when he went to be with the Father - and as the church began to expand. Since then it has always been accepted that those who were true to Jesus would, like them, see similar miracles during their life.

Early accounts of Illtyd claim that he was originally from Brittany, the son of a minor Breton prince named Bican Farchog. He began a career as a skilled warrior serving his cousin King Arthur and others until his wild ways brought him into trouble with one of the early welsh saints, St, Cadoc at Llancarfan Abbey (West of Barry near Cowbridge). According to one account he attempted to raid the abbey with his warband, but was driven off by the monks and was pursued into a treacherous bog where all but Illtyd perished in the deep mud.

When rescued by the monks, Cadoc, their abbot, is said to have spoken to Illtyd about the Christian faith, leading a humbled Illtyd to repent, give up his weapons and his warlike ways, give life to Christ and become a monk. Cadoc then was the right man, at the right time, pointing Illtyd in the right direction.

Illtyd went on to become renowned as the most learned Briton in the study of scripture and philosophy, later becoming abbot of his monastery in Glamorgan and being responsible, in turn, for the discipling of other welsh saints including Pol Aurelian, Samson of Dol, Gildas and of course, David himself.

His monastery attracted hundreds of monks and many churches were subsequently dedicated to him across South Wales includingSt. Illtyd’s Church, in Llanilltyd Fawr or as we know it LLantwit Major.

There is a simple cross at LLantwit—thought to date back to the 6th century and on the site that was once the monastery—which bears the inscription: “Samson placed his cross here for his soul, for the soul of Illtyd, Samson, Rhain, Sawyl and Ebisar”

Of the miracles associated with Illtyd one involves the land on which the cross now stands. In his days it was originally a small waste island, but through the saints intercession it was miraculously joined to the land and used for the building of his school.

What lessons can we learn from his life?
First, about his conversion. It was whole-hearted. After his brush with death, Cadoc became God’s instrument to share the good news about Jesus with him, leading him to give up his life of violence and the instrument of death, his sword, only to take up another instrument of death, the cross, which he then carried into a peaceful life of self-denial and prayer to the end of his life.

Conversion is about what the French call a “volte-face” - a complete “about turn” - a change of life and direction. Nothing less than this would have made Illtyd the man which we remember and who, with others, turned Wales Christian.

Second, it’s interesting that the most commonly attested miracle associated with Illtyd had to do with the ground, just as David’s great miracle also had to do with the ground as it raised him up to preach to the crowd. The early Celts had a deep affinity with nature and worked hand in hand with it to serve God. We have largely lost touch with creation and the result we see is this ongoing battle between the two—nature and man. Paul talks in Romans of creation “groaning as in the pains of childbirth” Romans 8:22. I wonder how much “groaning” is down to this disconnect between the two today?

Lastly, again we find the Celts a people soaked in the scriptures. St. Illtyd’s reputation was as a man who knew his scriptures inside out. As a result he was able to pass on his faith and knowledge to others and raise up saintly men and women to, like him, follow Jesus. Someone once wrote that knowledge of the Bible is knowledge of Christ, for Christ is to be found in all the scriptures—Old and New. In other words if you want to know Christ better, read your bible more. And if you want to get closer to Christ, get more familiar with the scriptures.

Illtyd did and churches dedicated to his name are living a legacy of his faithfulness to Christ, His word and His church.