Sacred Relics of Scotland - Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral was founded on the site of St. Kentigern’s tomb and marks the birthplace of the city of Glasgow. St. Kentigern, also known as St. Mungo was believed to have been buried at this site in A.D. 612. St. Mungo was the first Bishop of the Ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde.
St. Mungo's mother was St. Thenew, a Princess and the daughter of the 6th century King of Loth, of Gododdin, after whom Lothian was named. Legend recounts, Thenew refused to marry the suitor that had been chosen for her, which enraged her father, who banished her from his court. Raped by her suitor, she became pregnant with Mungo, who later became the Patron Saint and founder of the City of Glasgow, and Glasgow Cathedral. St. Thenew is also known as the, 'Mother of Glasgow.'
According to author, A. H. Millar, during the, 'Bishopric of Kentigern,' on this early site were, 'possibly a few of the houses inhabited by Culdee priests.' Not much is known about the early church buildings that stood on this ancient site until the early 12th century. The first building was consecrated in 1136 in the presence of King David I of Scotland. Interestingly, in 1128, the Order of the Knights Templar was introduced into Scotland by King David I.
Severely damaged by fire the cathedral was succeeded by a larger building in 1197. The next major re-building came in the 13th century. Most of the Nave today dates from after 1330, and the West Window from later 14th century.
Glasgow Cathedral was once an ancient place of pilgrimage. Countless pilgrims traveled from distance to venerate the shrine of St. Mungo, and also a number of sacred relics enclosed within the Cathedral pertaining to various saints.
Rosslyn Chapel
There are notable similarities between Glasgow Cathedral and Rosslyn Chapel. According to authors, Oxbrow and Robertson, 'Rosslyn is a squared down version of the East Quire at Glasgow Cathedral, with a near identical floor plan of 14 pillars, the same north aisle and south aisle, and a lady chapel in the East behind a row of three pillars.'
In the Chapel of St. Martin inside the Cathedral today, there is a magnificent Stained Glass Window of St. Mary Magdalene with an amethyst halo (see below). Legends of Jesus and Mary Magdalene continue to abound in Scotland. Glasgow Cathedral is intimately associated with those legends, and it is well worth a visit for those who are seeking a moment of quiet contemplation and reflection.
During the Reformation, the Archbishop of Glasgow Cathedral was James Beaton, the nephew of Cardinal Beaton, archbishop of St. Andrews. James Beaton attempted to defend himself against the attacks targeting 'monasteries and powerful ecclesiastics.' He was forced to flee to France, in 1560 carrying with him the, 'archives of his see which he deposited in the Scots College at Paris in the monastery of the Carthusians.'
According to author Robert Forsyth, Cardinal Beaton also took with him to France, a number of relics of Saints and sacred items from the Cathedral. Among a number of items were: 'two small silver crosses enriched with precious stones with small pieces of the true cross of Jesus Christ, and a bone of St. Mary Magdalene enclosed in a crystal vase...'
The Beauties of Scotland, Robert Forsyth (1806)
The Knights Templar in Scotland, Rev. Alfred Coutts, (1941)
Rosslyn and the Grail, Oxbrow and Robertson, (2005)
A. H Millar http://www.scotlandfromtheroadside.co.uk/ebooks/bygonechurchlife4.htm
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| Glasgow Cathedral |
St. Thenew
St. Mungo's mother was St. Thenew, a Princess and the daughter of the 6th century King of Loth, of Gododdin, after whom Lothian was named. Legend recounts, Thenew refused to marry the suitor that had been chosen for her, which enraged her father, who banished her from his court. Raped by her suitor, she became pregnant with Mungo, who later became the Patron Saint and founder of the City of Glasgow, and Glasgow Cathedral. St. Thenew is also known as the, 'Mother of Glasgow.'
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| Glasgow mural depicting St. Thenew and her son St Mungo by artist, Sam Bates |
King David I
According to author, A. H. Millar, during the, 'Bishopric of Kentigern,' on this early site were, 'possibly a few of the houses inhabited by Culdee priests.' Not much is known about the early church buildings that stood on this ancient site until the early 12th century. The first building was consecrated in 1136 in the presence of King David I of Scotland. Interestingly, in 1128, the Order of the Knights Templar was introduced into Scotland by King David I.
Severely damaged by fire the cathedral was succeeded by a larger building in 1197. The next major re-building came in the 13th century. Most of the Nave today dates from after 1330, and the West Window from later 14th century.
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| Glasgow Cathedral Stained Glass Window, King David I of Scotland, and his mother Saint Margaret of Scotland... |
A Place of Pilgrimage...
Glasgow Cathedral was once an ancient place of pilgrimage. Countless pilgrims traveled from distance to venerate the shrine of St. Mungo, and also a number of sacred relics enclosed within the Cathedral pertaining to various saints.
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| Glasgow Cathedral |
Rosslyn Chapel
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| Rosslyn Chapel |
St. Mary Magdalene
In the Chapel of St. Martin inside the Cathedral today, there is a magnificent Stained Glass Window of St. Mary Magdalene with an amethyst halo (see below). Legends of Jesus and Mary Magdalene continue to abound in Scotland. Glasgow Cathedral is intimately associated with those legends, and it is well worth a visit for those who are seeking a moment of quiet contemplation and reflection.
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| Stained Glass Window - St. Mary Magdalene, Glasgow Cathedral |
Ancient Relics - St. Mary Magdalene and Jesus...
According to author Robert Forsyth, Cardinal Beaton also took with him to France, a number of relics of Saints and sacred items from the Cathedral. Among a number of items were: 'two small silver crosses enriched with precious stones with small pieces of the true cross of Jesus Christ, and a bone of St. Mary Magdalene enclosed in a crystal vase...'
Acknowledgements:
The Beauties of Scotland, Robert Forsyth (1806)
The Knights Templar in Scotland, Rev. Alfred Coutts, (1941)
Rosslyn and the Grail, Oxbrow and Robertson, (2005)
A. H Millar http://www.scotlandfromtheroadside.co.uk/ebooks/bygonechurchlife4.htm
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