Among the most famous missionary saints are Patrick, Ninian, Kentigern and Columba. The Venerable Bede tells us that Ninian studied in Rome, then returned to Galloway.
Ninian built a white, plastered stone church known as ‘Candida Casa’ – the ‘White House’ - or ‘hwit aerne’ in Northumbrian – now Whithorn in Galloway. It became an important centre for training monks and missionaries.
Ninian travelled across Scotland trying to convert the pagan Picts to Christianity.
By AD 432, after Ninian’s death, Christianity had spread northwards throughout Strathclyde. St Ninian’s Day is 16 September.
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Listen to Veni Redemptor, a 5th-century Christmas hymn, played on a replica Pictish harp.
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