Kentigern (Cyndeyrn)

The cult of Kentigern, known in Wales as Cyndeyrn, or as Mungo in Scotland, appears to have been promoted in the twelfth century with the foundation and expansion of the diocese of Glasgow, for which Kentigern was the patron. The death of an individual called Kentigern is recorded in the Annales Cambriae and the two figures had become conflated by the twelfth century. The Cyndeyrn that gave his name to Llangyndeyrn in Carmarthenshire is probably an independent tradition. The late twelfth-century Life of Kentigern bu Jocelin of Furness has the saint visit David at St Davids, found a monastery at Nantcarfan, and a further monastery at Llanelwy. Once recalled to the north of Britain, Kentigern passes over jurisdiction of Llanelwy to Asaph, from whom the diocese now takes its name.

Feast Day: 13 January

More information

Texts

The Latin Life of Kentigern was written by Jocelin of Furness in the last quarter of the twelfth century. Other fragmentary Lives survive and Jocelin's Life was abbreviated in the surviving portion of the Latin Life of Asaph, relating his coming to Wales and to David at Menevia (St Davids), and the foundation of his monastery at Llanelwy (St Asaph).

Images

Standing figures of the saint are found in churches across the diocese of St Asaph, and he is sometimes depicted as representative of the diocese in other parts of Wales, such as in the west window of the Church of St David, Neath. The story of Asaph bringing live coals to his master is depicted in windows in St Asaph Cathedral and at the Church of St Peter, Machynlleth, and scenes depicting the appointment of Asaph as successor can be found on the reredos of the Church of St Paul, Colwyn Bay, and in the west window at Christ Church, Ebbw Vale.