02/11/2023
Pray for us!
February 11th is Saint Gobnait’s Feast Day.
Patron Saint of Honeybees and Beekeepers.
Saint Gobnait probably lived during the 6th century. A miracle with honeybees is attributed to her.
Via: Historical Honeybee Articles - Beekeeping History
Image: St. Gobnait - Patron Saint of Honeybees and Beekeepers
By Patricia Banker.
The Quote on the Icon Reads:
'The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.' ~Saint John Chrysostom (See References)
In Ireland, St. Gobnait, who probably lived during the 6th century, is the patron saint of honeybees and beekeepers. Her connection to honey bees is complex, beginning with the angel telling her to find her “resurrection place,” where the soul leaves the body. In Celtic mythology, the soul was thought to depart the body as a bee or a butterfly. Bees have long held an important place in Irish culture, and ancient laws were called the Bech Bretha (“Bee Judgments”).
One of Gobnait’s attributed miracles has her rousting her bees from their hives in order to chase off evil-doers, including a band of cattle rustlers and a rich man who wanted to build a castle on Gobnat’s farm. Some accounts go even further, with the bees miraculously changing into soldiers and their hives transformed into bronze helmets.
Honey is well-known for its curative properties, and Gobnait was renowned for her care of the sick. She is said to have had a strong relationship with bees and used honey in the treatment of illness and healing of wounds.
February 11 is a “Pattern Day” in the parishes of Dún Chaoin and in Baile Bhúirne, and is regarded as both holiday and holy day. In one tradition, a medieval wooden carving of Gobnait, about two feet high, kept in a church drawer during the year, is brought out. Parishioners bring a ribbon to ”measure” the statue. This ribbon is then taken home to use when special blessings are needed.
February 11th is St. Gobnait’s feast day -the day her memorable life is celebrated. She is one of the few Irish saints that is not only remembered in her native region, but has been proclaimed by the Irish bishops to be a national saint. There are shrines and places of devotion to St. Gobnait in all the places she is believed to have stopped on her journey - including Inis Oírr. But Ballyvourney, where she carried out most of her ministry, is the place that draws the greatest number of pilgrims devoted to this saint.
A tall statue of St. Gobnait that was erected in the 1950s stands near the monastic site. She appears with a nun’s habit standing on a bee hive surrounded by bees. Gobnait is the patron saint of bee keepers, and there are several legends recalling Gobnait forcing invaders out of Ballyvourney by setting swarms of bees upon them. It’s probable that Gobnait had a close relationship with bees and used honey in healing efforts.
Source:
Patricia Banker.
http://www.patriartsgallery.com/collections/anachrons
St. Gobnait
Deborah, or Abigail
Patron of Honeybees and Beekeepers
http://saintspreserved.com/buzz/about-st-gobnait/
Thin Places
http://www.thinplace.net/2010/02/happy-st-gobnaits-day-february-11th.html
St. John Chrysostom:
St. John Chrysostom was born circa 347 in Antioch (then in Syria), Turkey. For 12 years, beginning in 386, he established himself as a great preacher, offering his listeners impressive sermons. In 398, St. John was requested, against his will, to serve as archbishop of Constantinople.
http://www.biography.com/people/st-john-chrysostom-9247793.
