One of the oldest and most important religious centers in western Europe. Iona abbey is considered the point of origin for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland. World map showing location of Europe When considered a continent, Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, with an area of 10,600,000 km² (4,140,625 square miles), making it larger than Australia only. ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) (Scots: Wha daur meddle wi me) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ...

Location

Iona Abbey is located on the Isle of Iona, just off of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland. Iona seen from Fionnphort, the ferry point on the Isle of Mull Iona, population 175, is a small island (1 mile wide, 3. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) (Scots: Wha daur meddle wi me) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ...

History

In 563 AD, Saint Columba came form Ireland to Iona. He founded a Monastery on this site. The abbey grew quickly and soon became one of the largest religious centres in western Europe. Monks from Iona set up religious centers as far away as Switzerland. Events Saint Columba, the Irish missionary, founds his mission to the Picts and his monastery on Iona. ... Saint Columba (7 December 521 - 9 June 597), the Latinized version of the Irish name Colmcille (Old Irish Columb Cille) meaning Dove of the church, was the most outstanding of the Dark Agesan Irish missionary monk who helped re-introduce Christianity to Scotland and the north of England. ... Iona seen from Fionnphort, the ferry point on the Isle of Mull Iona, population 175, is a small island (1 mile wide, 3. ... Buddhist monastery near Tibet A monastery is the habitation of monks. ... An abbey (from the Latin abbatia, which is derived from the Syriac abba, father), is a Christian monastery or convent, under the government of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serve as the spiritual father or mother of the community. ...

In 806 AD, everyone at the abbey was found dead. It is attributed to a Viking massacre. Three other Viking attacks are recorded with eleven years of this date. Events April 12 - Nicephorus elected patriarch of Constantinople, succeeding Tarasius. ... The name Viking is a borrowed word from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, the British Isles, and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. ...

The Celtic Church remained separate from the Roman Catholic Church for many centuries. However, by the 13th Century, Iona had be absorbed into the Roman Church. It became part of the Benedictine order. The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian body, with over 1. ... ...

With the onset of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland. Iona fell from significance. Many of the buildings were demolished and stone crosses destroyed. The Protestant Reformation was a movement which emerged in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe. ...

In the 19th Century, Iona was gifted to the Church of Scotland. Extensive restoration works were undertaken. The Church of Scotland (CofS sometimes known as the Kirk) is the national church of Scotland. ...

1938 saw the Reverend George MacLeod founded the Iona Community. This ecumenical Christian community continues to use the site to this day. 1938 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... George Fielden MacLeod (June 17, 1895 - September, 1991), the Lord MacLeod of Fuinary. ... Christian ecumenism is the promotion of unity or cooperation between distinct religious groups or denominations of the Christian religion, more or less broadly defined. ...

The site was much loved by John Smith, Leader of the Labour Party. After his sudden death in 1994, he was buried on Iona. The Rt. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...

Items of Interest

Many early Scottish kings and chiefs, as well as kings from Ireland, Norway and France are buried in the Abbey graveyard. (There are thought to be 48 kings there.) These include Duncan - the victim of Macbeth. The more recent grave of John Smith can also be seen. This is a family tree for the kings of Scotland, since the unification under the House of Alpin in 834, to the personal union with England in 1603 under James VI of Scotland. ... Duncan I (Donnchad mac Crínáin) (1001 - August 15, 1040) was a son of Crinan the Thane de Mormaer, lay abbot of Dunkeld, and Princess Bethoc of Scotland. ... Mael Bethad (or Maelbeth) mac Findlàech, known in English and Scots as Macbeth (Gaelic names prefixed Mael commonly Anglicised to Mac, Mc, etc. ...

Several Celtic Crosses are to be found on the Isle of Iona. St Martin's Cross (dated to the 8th Century) still stands by the road side. A replica of St John's Cross is found by the doorway of the Abbey. The restored original is located in the Infirmary Museum at the rear of the abbey. A Celtic cross For Celtic Cross, the ambient/dub band see Celtic Cross (band) A Celtic cross combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. ...

The contemporary Jedburgh-based Christopher Hall (Scottish sculptor) worked for many years on carvings on the cloisters of the abbey, which represent birds, flora and fauna native to the island. More recently Hall was responsible for carving John Smith's gravestone.

External Links

• Iona Community site with more background on recent history of the Abbey [1]