So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 1:42-44a
Donan (618)
Killed by Raiders
Every one of the 52 monks at a monastery founded by Irishman Donan on the Scottish island of Eigg, in the Inner Hebrides, was martyred at Easter 618. Christian missions in Celtic lands rarely suffered violent opposition at this time, but a group of armed men turned up on this evening as the monks were celebrating communion. The assailants agreed to Donan’s request to let the monks finish the service, but then took them into a building and set fire to it. Those who survived were killed later by the sword. It is thought that local chieftains, who resented the presence of the monks, may have been responsible for their murders or that it may have been a Viking raid.
O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whosoever believeth shall live though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die eternally: We bless thy holy name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially those most dear to us; beseeching thee to give us grace so as to follow their good examples that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Advocate and Redeemer.
Parish Prayers (no. 303)