Saint Modomnoc O’Neil
Ermite à Tibraghny (Kilkenny) et évêque
Fête le 13 février
† 550
Autres graphies : Modomnoc O’Neil, Domnoc, Dominic ou Modomnock
Il quitta l’Irlande pour faire ses études auprès de saint David au Pays de Galles. On lui attribue l’introduction des abeilles en Irlande, celles qu’il avait soignées au Pays de Galles ayant refusé de le quitter et l’ayant suivi lors de son retour en Irlande.
Saint Modomnoc O'Neil, évêque (+ 550)
Mort vers 550. Modomnoc (Domnoc, Dominic, Modomnock), appartenait à la lignée royale irlandaise des O'Neil. Pour pouvoir faire les études pour devenir prêtre, les grands monastères irlandais n'ayant pas encore été créés, il dût quitter l'Irlande.
Son nom réel est probablement Dom ou Donogh mais les saints Celtes étant si aimés, on leur rajoutait un affectueux "mon" ou "petit" ou "cher" à leur nom, ce qui finissait par le changer complètement. Par exemple, un autre disciple Irlandais bien aimé de Saint David était appelé au début Aidan, mais apparaît d'habitude dans les registres du monastère comme Maidoc.
Modomnoc traversa le bras de mer pour être formé par le grand saint David au monastère de Mynyw (Menevia, maintenant saint David) dans le Pays de Galles. Il était prévu que tous ceux qui résident dans la communauté prennent part au travail manuel, en plus de l'étude et des Offices. Une histoire nous raconte comment un jour, Modomnoc travaillait avec un autre moine à faire une route, quand il dût le réprimander pour quelque problème. L'autre moine fut saisi de colère et prit une pince, mais avant qu'il ne put en frapper Modomnoc, Saint David, qui était témoin de l'incident, bloqua son bras par ses pouvoirs spirituels et il resta paralysé.
Modomnoc reçut la charge des abeilles et il aimait ça. Et si tous les autres aimaient le miel, peu aimaient s'occuper des ruches. Modomnoc aima les abeilles presque plus qu'il n'aima leur miel. Il les soigna, les gardant tendrement dans abris de paille dans un coin spécial et abrité du jardin, où il planta les genres de fleurs préférées des abeilles.
Son nom réel est probablement Dom ou Donogh mais les saints Celtes étant si aimés, on leur rajoutait un affectueux "mon" ou "petit" ou "cher" à leur nom, ce qui finissait par le changer complètement. Par exemple, un autre disciple Irlandais bien aimé de Saint David était appelé au début Aidan, mais apparaît d'habitude dans les registres du monastère comme Maidoc.
Modomnoc traversa le bras de mer pour être formé par le grand saint David au monastère de Mynyw (Menevia, maintenant saint David) dans le Pays de Galles. Il était prévu que tous ceux qui résident dans la communauté prennent part au travail manuel, en plus de l'étude et des Offices. Une histoire nous raconte comment un jour, Modomnoc travaillait avec un autre moine à faire une route, quand il dût le réprimander pour quelque problème. L'autre moine fut saisi de colère et prit une pince, mais avant qu'il ne put en frapper Modomnoc, Saint David, qui était témoin de l'incident, bloqua son bras par ses pouvoirs spirituels et il resta paralysé.
Modomnoc reçut la charge des abeilles et il aimait ça. Et si tous les autres aimaient le miel, peu aimaient s'occuper des ruches. Modomnoc aima les abeilles presque plus qu'il n'aima leur miel. Il les soigna, les gardant tendrement dans abris de paille dans un coin spécial et abrité du jardin, où il planta les genres de fleurs préférées des abeilles.
Chaque fois qu'elles fourmillaient en groupe, il prenait l'essaim très délicatement et avec amour, et il préparait une nouvelle ruche. Il parlait aux abeilles tout en travaillant au milieu d'elles et elles bourdonnaient en nuage autour de sa tête, comme si elles répondaient. Et, bien sûr, elles ne l'ont jamais piqué.
A la fin d'été, elles lui donnaient beaucoup de miel, tant que Modomnoc avait besoin de l'aide pour porter le tout à l'intérieur. Les moines n'ont jamais manqué de miel pour leurs repas ou de faire de l'hydromel. Le bon Modomnoc remerciait Dieu pour cela, et aussi les abeilles. Il marchait parmi les abris le soir et parlait aux abeilles, et elles, de leur côté, venaient à sa rencontre. Tous les autres moines évitaient soigneusement ce coin du jardin de monastère parce qu'ils avaient peur d'être piqué.
De même que remerciant les abeilles, Modomnoc faisait tout son possible pour prendre soin d'elles dans le froid et l'orage. Bientôt ses années d'étude terminées, Modomnoc put retourner en Irlande pour commencer son ministère de prêtre. Tout en étant heureux de rentrer à la maison, il sentit qu'il manquerait à ses abeilles. Le jour de son départ, il dit au revoir à l'Abbé, aux moines, et ses collègues étudiants. Puis il descendit au jardin pour dire adieu à ses abeilles.
Elles sortirent par centaines, par milliers, à l'appel de sa voix et jamais là-bas un tel bourdonnement et une telle agitation n'eurent lieu parmi les rangs et les rangs de ruches. Les moines restés à distance admiraient le prodige, "On dirait que les abeilles ont su," disaient-ils. "On dirait qu'elles savaient que Modomnoc partait."
Modomnoc s'en alla résolument et descendit sur la rive et embarqua dans un bateau. Quand ils étaient à peu près 3 miles de la rive, Modomnoc vit ce qui ressemblait à un petit nuage noir dans le ciel dans la direction de la côte Galloise. Il le regarda et comme il se rapprochait de plus en plus, il vit à son étonnement que c'était un essaim d'abeilles, se rapprochant jusqu'à finalement se poser sur le bord du bateau. C'était un essaim gigantesque -- toutes les abeilles de toutes les ruches, en fait. Les abeilles l'avaient suivi!
Cette fois Modomnoc ne félicita pas ses amies. "Mais vous êtes sottes," les gronda-t'il, "vous ne m'appartenez pas mais au monastère! Comment voulez-vous que les moines fassent sans vous le miel, ou l'hydromel? Retournez tout de suite, petites sottes!" Mais si les abeilles ont compris ce qu'il avait dit, elles ne lui ont pas obéi. D'abord, elles se posèrent dans le calme sur le bateau, dans un murmure d'endormissement, et restèrent là. Les marins n'apprécièrent pas et demandèrent à Modomnoc ses intentions.
Cette fois Modomnoc ne félicita pas ses amies. "Mais vous êtes sottes," les gronda-t'il, "vous ne m'appartenez pas mais au monastère! Comment voulez-vous que les moines fassent sans vous le miel, ou l'hydromel? Retournez tout de suite, petites sottes!" Mais si les abeilles ont compris ce qu'il avait dit, elles ne lui ont pas obéi. D'abord, elles se posèrent dans le calme sur le bateau, dans un murmure d'endormissement, et restèrent là. Les marins n'apprécièrent pas et demandèrent à Modomnoc ses intentions.
Il dit de reprendre le cap sur le Pays de Galles. C'était déjà trop loin pour que les abeilles puissent retourner en volant, même si elles avaient voulu lui obéir. Il ne voulait pas laisser ses petites amies souffrir de leur bêtise. Mais le vent poussait le bateau vers l'Irlande et quand ils réussirent le changement de cap, la voile était devenue inutilisable. Les marins durent ramer jusqu'à la côte galloise. Ils le firent de très mauvaise grâce, mais ils avaient si peur des abeilles qu'ils auraient fait n'importe quoi.
Saint David et les moines furent très étonnés de voir revenir Modomnoc, qui avait l'air plutôt honteux. Il leur expliqua ce qui était arrivé. Au moment où le bateau toucha la terre ferme, les abeilles retournèrent à leurs ruches et s'y calmèrent. "Attends jusqu'à demain," lui conseilla l'abbé, "mais ne fais pas tes adieu aux abeilles. Elles arriveront à accepter la séparation dans ce cas."
Le lendemain matin, le bateau était à nouveau prêt pour Modomnoc et cette fois il partit précipitamment sans dire adieu à personne. Mais arrivés à peu près 3 miles de la rive, il fut découragé de voir encore ce petit nuage noir s'élevant au-dessus de la côte Galloise. Tout le monde reconnu la situation et les marins refirent cap sur la terre immédiatement. Une fois plus Modomnoc, honteux, revint chercher David et lui dit son histoire. "Que dois-je faire?" demanda-t'il. "Je dois rentrer à la maison. Les abeilles ne me permettent pas de partir sans elles. Je ne peux pas vous priver d'elles, si utiles au monastère."
Saint David et les moines furent très étonnés de voir revenir Modomnoc, qui avait l'air plutôt honteux. Il leur expliqua ce qui était arrivé. Au moment où le bateau toucha la terre ferme, les abeilles retournèrent à leurs ruches et s'y calmèrent. "Attends jusqu'à demain," lui conseilla l'abbé, "mais ne fais pas tes adieu aux abeilles. Elles arriveront à accepter la séparation dans ce cas."
Le lendemain matin, le bateau était à nouveau prêt pour Modomnoc et cette fois il partit précipitamment sans dire adieu à personne. Mais arrivés à peu près 3 miles de la rive, il fut découragé de voir encore ce petit nuage noir s'élevant au-dessus de la côte Galloise. Tout le monde reconnu la situation et les marins refirent cap sur la terre immédiatement. Une fois plus Modomnoc, honteux, revint chercher David et lui dit son histoire. "Que dois-je faire?" demanda-t'il. "Je dois rentrer à la maison. Les abeilles ne me permettent pas de partir sans elles. Je ne peux pas vous priver d'elles, si utiles au monastère."
David dit, "Modomnoc, je te donne les abeilles. Prends-les avec ma bénédiction. Je suis sûr qu'elles ne prospéreront plus sans toi. Prends-les. Nous obtiendrons d'autres abeilles plus tard pour le monastère."
L'abbé descendit au bateau et raconta l'histoire aux marins. "Si les abeilles suivent Modomnoc pour la troisième fois, emmenez-les en Irlande avec lui et avec ma bénédiction." Mais cela lui prit du temps et beaucoup de palabres pour obtenir que les marins l'acceptent. Ils ne se souciaient pas de savoir qui avait les abeilles tant qu'elles n'étaient pas dans leur bateau.
L'abbé rassura les marins : les abeilles ne feraient pas d'ennui aussi longtemps que Modomnoc serait à bord. Les marins demandèrent pourquoi les abeilles n'avaient pas obéi à l'ordre de Modomnoc de retourner au monastère. Après beaucoup de longues explications, les marins furent finalement persuadés de reprendre la mer.
Pour la troisième fois que le bateau repartait, Modomnoc pria intensément afin que les abeilles aient la bonne idée de rester dans leur jardin au lieu de risquer leurs vies en mer. Pour la troisième fois, il vit un petit nuage noir s'élevant en haut, approchant de plus en plus, jusqu'à ce qu'il vit que c'était le même essaim. Il s'installa sur le bateau une fois plus. Cette fois il fit pas revenir le bateau au port. Modomnoc cajola ses fidèles amies dans un coin abrité du bateau, où elles restèrent silencieusement durant le voyage, au grand soulagement des marins.
Quand il arriva en Irlande, il établit une église à un endroit nommé Bremore, près de Balbriggan, dans le Comté de Dublin, et il installa ici les abeilles dans un jardin heureux tout comme elles en avaient un au Pays de Galles. L'endroit est connu encore aujourd'hui comme "l'église de l'apiculteur." Il devint ermite à Tibberaghny dans le Comté de Kilkenny et quelques-uns disent qu'il fut sacré évêque ultérieurement.
Tropaire de saint Modomnock ton 4
Le faste et la splendeur n'avait aucune attirance pour toi, O père Modomnock./
en quittant le scintillement du monde, tu embrassa librement la pauvreté avec le Christ,/
priant pour le Salut de toutes les âmes fidèles.
Kondakion de saint Modomnock ton 7
Te retirant de la compagnie des hommes,/
tu servis Dieu dans la solitude, O père Modomnock,/
et ton Père, voyant ta vertu dans le secret,/
t'a récompensé ouvertement./
c'est pourquoi nous glorifions ton nom/
et louons et bénissons ta mémoire vertueuse.
Sur le site officiel de l'Église en Russie : "Holy Father Modomnoc of Ossory, Patron Saint of Bees"
Quand il arriva en Irlande, il établit une église à un endroit nommé Bremore, près de Balbriggan, dans le Comté de Dublin, et il installa ici les abeilles dans un jardin heureux tout comme elles en avaient un au Pays de Galles. L'endroit est connu encore aujourd'hui comme "l'église de l'apiculteur." Il devint ermite à Tibberaghny dans le Comté de Kilkenny et quelques-uns disent qu'il fut sacré évêque ultérieurement.
Tropaire de saint Modomnock ton 4
Le faste et la splendeur n'avait aucune attirance pour toi, O père Modomnock./
en quittant le scintillement du monde, tu embrassa librement la pauvreté avec le Christ,/
priant pour le Salut de toutes les âmes fidèles.
Kondakion de saint Modomnock ton 7
Te retirant de la compagnie des hommes,/
tu servis Dieu dans la solitude, O père Modomnock,/
et ton Père, voyant ta vertu dans le secret,/
t'a récompensé ouvertement./
c'est pourquoi nous glorifions ton nom/
et louons et bénissons ta mémoire vertueuse.
Sur le site officiel de l'Église en Russie : "Holy Father Modomnoc of Ossory, Patron Saint of Bees"
Saint
Modomnoc O'Neil (Domnoc, Dominic, Modomnock, † vers 550) et les abeilles
"Modomnoc reçut la charge des abeilles et il aimait ça. Et si tous les
autres aimaient le miel, peu aimaient s'occuper des ruches. Modomnoc a aimé les
abeilles presque plus qu'il n'a aimé leur miel. Il les a soignées, les gardant
tendrement dans abris de paille dans un coin spécial et abrité du jardin, où il
planta les genres de fleurs préférées des abeilles.
Chaque fois qu'elles fourmillaient en groupe, il prennait l'essaim très
délicatement et avec amour, et il préparait une nouvelle ruche. Il parlait aux
abeilles tout en travaillant au milieu d'elles et elles bourdonnaient en nuage
autour de sa tête, comme si elles répondaient. Et, bien sûr, elles ne l'ont
jamais piqué.
A la fin d'été, elles lui donnaient beaucoup de miel, tant que Modomnoc avait
besoin de l'aide pour porter le tout à l'intérieur. Les moines n'ont jamais
manqué de miel pour leurs repas ou de faire de l'hydromel. Le bon Modomnoc
remerciait Dieu pour cela, et aussi les abeilles. Il marchait parmi les abris
le soir et parlait aux abeilles, et elles, de leur côté, venaient à sa
rencontre. Tous les autres moines évitaient soigneusement ce coin du jardin de
monastère parce qu'ils avaient peur d'être piqué.
De même que remerciant les abeilles, Modomnoc faisait tout son possible pour
prendre soin d'elles dans le froid et l'orage. Bientôt ses années d'étude
terminées, Modomnoc put retourner en Irlande pour commencer son ministère de
prêtre. Tout en étant heureux de rentrer à la maison, il sentit qu'il
manquerait à ses abeilles. Le jour de son départ, il dit au revoir à l'Abbé,
aux moines, et ses collègues étudiants. Puis il descendit au jardin pour dire
adieu à ses abeilles.
Elles sortirent par centaines, par milliers, à l'appel de sa voix et jamais
là-bas un tel bourdonnement et une telle agitation n'eurent lieu parmi les
rangs et les rangs de ruches. Les moines restés à distance admiraient le
prodige, "On dirait que les abeilles ont su," disaient-ils. "On
dirait qu'elles savaient que Modomnoc partait."
Modomnoc s'en alla résolument et descendit sur la rive et embarqua dans un
bateau. Quand ils étaient à peu près 3 miles de la rive, Modomnoc vit ce qui
ressemblait à un petit nuage noir dans le ciel dans la direction de la côte
Galloise. Il le regarda et comme il se rapprochait de plus en plus, il vit à
son étonnement que c'était un essaim d'abeilles, se rapprochant jusqu'à
finalement se poser sur le bord du bateau. C'était un essaim gigantesque --
toutes les abeilles de toutes les ruches, en fait. Les abeilles l'avaient
suivi!
Cette
fois Modomnoc ne félicita pas ses amies. "Mais vous êtes sottes," les
gronda-t'il, "vous ne m'appartenez pas mais au monastère! Comment
voulez-vous que les moines fassent sans vous le miel, ou l'hydromel? Retournez
tout de suite, petites sottes!" Mais si les abeilles ont compris ce qu'il
avait dit, elles ne lui ont pas obéi. D'abord, elles se posèrent dans le calme
sur le bateau, dans un murmure d'endormissement, et restèrent là. Les marins
n'ont pas apprécié et demandé à Modomnoc ses intentions.
Il dit de
reprendre le cap sur le Pays de Galles. C'était déjà trop loin pour que les
abeilles puissent retourner en volant, même si elles avaient voulu lui obéir.
Il ne voulait pas laisser ses petites amies souffrir de leur bêtise. Mais le
vent poussait le bateau vers l'Irlande et quand ils réussirent le changement de
cap, la voile était devenue inutilisable. Les marins dûrent ramer jusqu'à la
côte Galloise. Ils le firent de très mauvaise grâce, mais ils avaient si peur
des abeilles qu'ils auraient fait n'importe quoi.
Saint
David et les moines furent très étonnés de voir revenir Modomnoc, qui avait
l'air plutôt honteux. Il leur expliqua ce qui était arrivé. Au moment où le
bateau toucha la terre ferme, les abeilles retournèrent à leurs ruches et s'y
calmèrent. "Attends jusqu'à demain," lui conseilla l'abbé, "mais
ne fait pas tes adieu aux abeilles. Elles arriveront à accepter la séparation
dans ce cas."
Le
lendemain matin, le bateau était à nouveau prêt pour Modomnoc et cette fois il
partit précipitamment sans dire adieu à personne. Mais arrivés à peu près 3
miles de la rive, il fut découragé de voir encore ce petit nuage noir s'élevant
au-dessus de la côte Galloise. Tout le monde reconnu la situation et les marins
refirent cap sur la terre immédiatement. Une fois plus Modomnoc, honteux,
revint chercher David et lui dit son histoire. "Que dois-je faire?"
demanda-t'il. "Je dois rentrer à la maison. Les abeilles ne me permettent
pas de partir sans elles. Je ne peux pas vous priver d'elles, si utiles au
monastère."
David dit, "Modomnoc, je vous donne les abeilles. Prennez-les avec ma bénédiction. Je suis sûr qu'elles ne prospéreront plus sans vous. Prenez-les. Nous obtiendrons d'autres abeilles plus tard pour le monastère."
L'abbé descendit au bateau et raconta l'histoire aux marins. "Si les abeilles suivent Modomnoc pour la troisième fois, emmenez-les en Irlande avec lui et avec ma bénédiction." Mais cela lui pris du temps et beaucoup de palabres pour obtenir que les marins l'acceptent. Ils ne se souciaient pas de savoir qui avait les abeilles tant qu'elles n'étaient pas dans leur bateau.
L'abbé
rassura les marins : les abeilles ne feraient pas d'ennui aussi longtemps que
Modomnoc serait à bord. Les marins demandèrent pourquoi les abeilles n'avaient
pas obéi à l'ordre de Modomnoc de retourner au monastère. Après beaucoup de
longues explications, les marins furent finalement persuadés de reprendre la
mer.
Pour la troisième fois que le bateau repartait, Modomnoc pria intensément afin que les abeilles aient la bonne idée de rester dans leur jardin au lieu de risquer leurs vies en mer. Pour la troisième fois, il vit un petit nuage noir s'élevant en haut, approchant de plus en plus, jusqu'à ce qu'il vit que c'était le même essaim. Il s'installa sur le bateau une fois plus. Cette fois il fit pas revenir le bateau au port. Modomnoc cajola ses fidèles amies dans un coin abrité du bateau, où elles restèrent silencieusement durant le voyage, au grand soulagement des marins.
Quand il
arriva en Irlande, il établit une église à un endroit nommé Bremore, près de
Balbriggan, dans le Comté de Dublin, et il installa ici les abeilles dans un
jardin heureux tout comme elles en avaient un au Pays de Galles. L'endroit est
connu encore aujourd'hui comme "l'église de l'apiculteur." Il devint
ermite à Tibberaghny dans le Comté de Kilkenny et quelques-uns disent qu'il fut
sacré évêque ultérieurement."
extrait
de : http://home.scarlet.be/amdg/sankt/fev13.html
SOURCE :
http://www.encyclopedie-universelle.net/abeille1/abeille-histoire-hommes-civilisations9.html
Modomnoc O'Neil B (AC)
(also known as Domnoc, Dominic, Modomnock)
Died c. 550. The story goes that Modomnoc, descended of the Irish royal line of
O'Neil, had to leave Ireland to train for the priesthood, since he was a
student before the creation of the great Irish monasteries. He crossed the
English Channel to be educated under the great Saint David at Mynyw (Menevia,
now Saint David's) Monastery in Wales. All the pupils had to work in the
fields, garden, or in building, in addition to attending to their studies.
Modomnoc was given
charge of the bees and he loved it. And so did everyone else--they all loved
honey, but few like taking charge of the hives. Modomnoc liked the bees almost
more than he liked their honey. He cared for them tenderly, keeping them in
straw skeps in a special sheltered corner of the garden, where he planted the
kinds of flowers best loved by the bees.
Every time they
swarmed, he captured the swarm very gently and lovingly and set up yet another
hive. He talked to the bees as he worked among them and they buzzed around his
head in clouds as if they were responding. And, of course, they never stung
him.
At the end of
summer, they gave him loads and loads of honey, so much that Modomnoc needed
help carrying it all inside. The monks never seemed to run out of honey for
their meals or making mead to drink. The good Modomnoc thanked God for his
success, and he also thanked the bees. He would walk among the skeps in the
evening and talk to them, and the bees, for their part, would crowd out to meet
him. All the other monks carefully avoided that corner of the monastery garden
because they were afraid of being stung.
As well as thanking
the bees, Modomnoc did everything he could to care for them in cold and storm.
Soon his year's of study ended, and Modomnoc had to return to Ireland to begin
his priestly ministry. While he was glad to be returning home, he knew he would
be lonely for his bees. On the day of his departure, he said good- bye to
David, the monks, and his fellow students. Then he went down to the garden to
bid farewell to his bees.
They came out in
the hundreds of thousands in answer to his voice and never was there such a
buzzing and excitement among the rows and rows of hives. The monks stood at a
distance watching the commotion in wonder, "You'd think the bees
knew," they said. "You'd think they knew that Modomnoc was going
away."
Modomnoc resolutely
turned and went down to the shore and embarked the ship. When they were about
three miles from the shore, Modomnoc saw what looked like a little black cloud
in the sky in the direction of the Welsh coast. He watched it curiously and as
it approached nearer, he saw to his amazement that it was a swarm of bees that
came nearer and nearer until finally it settled on the edge of the boat near
him. It was a gigantic swarm--all the bees from all the hives, in fact. The
bees had followed him!
This time Modomnoc
did not praise his friends. "How foolish of you," he scolded them,
"you do not belong to me but to David's monastery! How do you suppose the
monks can do without honey, or mead? Go back at once, you foolish
creatures!" But if the bees understood what he said, they did not obey him.
They settled down on the boat with a sleepy kind of murmur, and there they
stayed. The sailors did not like it one bit and asked Modomnoc what he intended
to do.
He told them to
turn the boat back for Wales. It was already too far for the bees to fly back,
even if they wanted to obey him. He could not allow his little friends to
suffer for their foolishness. But the wind was blowing the boat to Ireland and
when they turned back, the sail was useless. The sailors had to furl it and row
back to the Welsh coast. They did it with very bad grace, but they were too
much afraid of the bees to do anything else.
David and the monks
were very surprised to see Modomnoc coming back and looking rather ashamed. He
told them what had happened. The moment the boat had touched land again, he
bees had made straight for their hives and settled down contentedly again.
"Wait until tomorrow," advised the abbot, "but don't say
farewell to the bees again. They will be over the parting by then."
Next morning, the
boat was again in readiness for Modomnoc and this time he left hurriedly
without any fuss of farewell. But when they were about three miles from the
shore, he was dismayed to see again the familiar little black cloud rising up
over the Welsh coast. Everyone recognized the situation and the sailors turned
back to shore immediately.
Once more the
shamefaced Modomnoc had to seek out David and tell his story. "What am I
to do?" he pleaded. "I must go home. The bees won't let me go without
them. I can't deprive you of them. They are so useful to the monastery."
David laughed and
said, "Modomnoc, I give you the bees. Take them with my blessing. I am
sure they would not thrive without you anyhow. Take them. We'll get other bees
later on for the monastery."
The abbot went down
to the boat and told the sailors the same story. "If the bees follow
Modomnoc for the third time, take them to Ireland with him and my
blessing." But it took a long time and a great deal of talking to get the
sailors to agree to this. They did not care who had the bees as long as they
weren't in their boat. Bees, they explained, were the kind of passengers they
never wanted. If they gave trouble on the boat and no one could sail it, they
might all be drowned. Anything but bees, they said. Wild animals, okay; bee,
no.
The abbot assured
the sailors that the bees would give no trouble as long as Modomnoc was around.
The sailors asked, if that were so, why the bees did not obey Modomnoc's
command to return to the monastery. After much back and forth, the sailors were
finally persuaded into starting out again.
For the third time
the boat set sail, Modomnoc praying hard that the bees would have the sense to
stay in their pleasant garden rather than risking their lives at sea. For the
third time he saw the dreaded little black cloud rising up in the distance,
approaching nearer and nearer until he saw it was the same swarm of bees again.
It settled on the boat once more. This time it did not turn back. Modomnoc
coaxed his faithful friends into a sheltered corner of the boat, where they
remained quietly throughout the journey, much to the sailors' relief.
When he landed in
Ireland, he set up a church at a place called Bremore, near Balbriggan, in
County Dublin, and here he established the bees in a happy garden just like the
one they had in Wales. The place is known to this day as "the Church of
the Beekeeper."
Some say that he
became a hermit at Tibraghny in Kilkenny and later bishop (Benedictines,
Curtayne).
Holy Father Modomnoc of Ossory,
Patron Saint of Bees
Commemorated: February 13/26
St. Modomnoc
(also Domnoc, Dominic) lived in the first half of the sixth century. This name,
by which he is commonly known, means “my Domnoc”, or “little Domnoc”. Irish
hagiographers used to add the prefix “mo”, which means “my”, “little”, “dear”
before the names of saints whom they particularly loved and venerated. The name
“Domnoc” is of unknown Irish origin, while the name form “Dominic” means “belonging
to God”.
St. Modomnoc
descended from the royal family (or, to be more exact the clan) of O’Neil in
Ulster, Northern Ireland. With all his heart young Modomnoc wished to serve God
as priest, so he went to Wales to receive a good education and training in the
great monastery of Mynyw, or Menevia (now St. Davids) under St. David, the
patron-saint of Wales. Unlike other disciples of the great Abbot David who
practiced manual labor, church singing and grew vegetables, the young ascetic
Modomnoc had beekeeping as his obedience. Modomnoc loved this obedience very
much and took great care of the little creatures that were in his charge. He
looked after them, kept them in specially-made straw beehives in a sheltered
corner of the large monastery garden where he grew the most beautiful flowers
that were loved and appreciated by his bees.
Modomnoc often
talked to the bees and they, in their turn, flew in swarms around his head, as
if speaking to him in their language and expressing reciprocity for his affection.
At the end of the summer the bees provided St. Modomnoc with such a great
amount of honey that he needed helpers to deliver it to the monastery. Owing to
Modomnoc and his faithful bees, the monks of Mynyw Monastery had honey in
abundance. St. Modomnoc always thanked God for sending him such an obedience.
All the other monks were afraid of the bees and avoided walking or appearing in
the corner of the garden where the Modomnoc’s bees lived because they could
sting them, but the insects never stung Modomnoc himself.
Several
years passed. It was time for St. Modomnoc to return to his native Ireland and
start his priestly ministry. According to tradition, a whole swarm of faithful
bees flew after their beloved master to Ireland. This is how it happened. The
day before his departure, Modomnoc bid farewell to his holy abbot and the
brethren and at the end came to the garden to say goodbye to his most beloved
friends, the bees, knowing that he would miss them in Ireland. The bees, as if
feeling that their dear father was going to leave, flew out of their beehives
and with extremely loud buzzing started whirling around the saint (several
hundred thousand of them!). All this time the monks stood at a distance from
the holy man, greatly amazed. St. Modomnoc got on the boat and departed for
Ireland.
However, before he
had sailed three miles he suddenly saw a small black cloud that was swiftly
approaching from the Welsh coast. Soon the cloud drew near and the holy man to
his great astonishment realized that these were the bees from all the beehives
of the Mynyw Monastery. The insects began impetuously and joyfully descending
onto the boat of their master. St. Modomnoc, taking pity on the monks who would
be deprived of wonderful honey, and fearing for the safety of bees which could
all perish during the journey from Wales to Ireland, commanded them to fly
back. But the tiny creatures this time were far from obeying their protector.
Meanwhile, the sailors, fearing the bees, implored Modomnoc to make a decision
as soon as possible. And the saint had to ask the sailors to turn back to Wales.
The brethren of
Mynyw were really staggered on seeing St. Modomnoc returning together with all
the bees to Wales! The holy man related to the abbot what had happened to him
and St. David suggested he set sail the following morning, but this time with
no farewells to the bees. Modomnoc did what was told him. But the event was
repeated: when the saint had covered three miles by sea the bees in the shape
of a cloud caught up with him. Then the man of God resolved to sail back to
Mynyw again.
The abbot, seeing
that Modomnoc had to return already twice, said to him: “Modomnoc, I give you
these bees. Take them with my blessing. I see they will not be able to live
without you. And we will obtain new bees for us.” Modomnoc agreed to fulfil the
will of the abbot; but he had to persuade the sailors for a long time to take
the bees with them. On parting, St. David told Modomnoc that the bees would not
do any harm to the sailors as long as the saint stayed aboard. Before leaving,
Modomnoc prayed so that the bees, if that was the will of God, might remain to
live in the garden of Mynyw as they could all die during their flight to Ireland.
However, even this time all the bees flew after their master. Modomnoc made a
shelter for the bees on his boat and all of them on his command moved there,
patiently waiting for the end of the sea journey, doing absolutely no harm to
the sailors.
Upon his arrival in
Ireland, according to tradition, St. Modomnoc erected a church in Bremore near
the town of Balbriggan, in present-day County Dublin. Near the church, as the
tradition says, he settled the swarm of his bees in beehives in an amazingly
beautiful garden that resembled the garden in Mynyw. This spot is known as “the
beekeeper’s church” (“Llan-Beach-Aire”) to this day. Thus, Irish people from
ancient times believe that the bees as well as beekeeping appeared in their
country due to St. Modomnoc.
Most probably,
arriving in Ireland, Modomnoc undertook missionary work and served as a bishop
of Ossory. There is a tradition that St. Modomnoc ended his days as a hermit in
Tibraghny in the south-west of the present-day County Kilkenny where he was
especially venerated. Our holy father Modomnoc reposed in the Lord in about
550. The name of Modomnoc was included in the “Martyrology of St. Oengus” from
the Tallacht Monastery. Specifically, St. Oengus wrote: “In a little boat, from
the east, over the pure-colored sea, my Domnoc brought… the gifted race of
Ireland's bees.” By the way, approximately at the same time as St. Modomnoc in
Ireland lived a holy woman named Gobnait, who was Abbess of Ballyvourney in
County Cork and a wonderworker (commemorated February 11/24—just two days
before Modomnoc) who was a beekeeper as well. Researchers suppose that her bees
were relatives of the bees of St. Modomnoc.
St. Modomnoc is
widely venerated as the patron-saint of bees and beekeeping to this day.
Holy Father
Modomnoc, pray to God for us!
25 / 02 / 2015
SOURCE : http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/77526.htm
St. Modomnoc O'Neil and the Bees
By Denny Sellen, Eastern Orthodox Christian based in Seattle
(Specialist in Semitic Anthropology and Compared Religions)
(Specialist in Semitic Anthropology and Compared Religions)
Since the first
time I read this story, it has made a great impression on me. The Celtic
saints, in particular those of Ireland, have always exhibited a keen connection
with the world of nature, with which they felt no duality, but rather perfect
harmony. They saw the natural world as being at the forefront of redemption and
the grace of God as being able to work through even the violent-natured of
animals. This story is an example of the lovely the Celtic saint had for
animals, and, more over, the love those animals had for them. We cannot forget
the stories of modern day saints and their animal friends, such as Saint
Seraphim of Sarov who had a bear that lived with him (whom he had met when it
was an adult), or Fr. Paisios of Mount Athos (d. 1995) who according to
countless witnesses had a supernatural ability to communicate with animals and
even became sadened when a visitor killed a snake.
St. Modomnoc O'Neil, Bishop
(Domnoc, Dominic, Modomnock)
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Died c. 550. Modomnoc, descended of the Irish royal line of O'Neil, had
to leave Ireland to train for the priesthood, since he was a student
before the creation of the great Irish monasteries. His name is most
likely to have been Dom or Donogh but the Celtic saints were so tenderly
loved that "my", "little" and "dear" were very often added to the names,
which completely altered their appearance. Another disciple from Ireland
much loved by St.David was originally called Aidan, but usually appears
in accounts of the monastery as Maidoc.
He crossed the English Channel to be educated under the great Saint
David at Mynyw (Menevia, now Saint David's) Monastery in Wales. All
those who resided in the community were expected to share in the manual
work as well as the study and worship, and there is a story which tells
how one day Modomnoc was working with another monk making a road, when
he had occasion to rebuke him for some matter. The other monk was seized
with anger and took up a crowbar, but before he could bring it down on
Modomnoc, SaintDavid, who was witness to the incident, stayed his arm by
his spiritual powers and it remained paralysed.
Modomnoc was given charge of the bees and he loved it. And so did
everyone else--they all loved honey, but few like taking charge of the
hives. Modomnoc liked the bees almost more than he liked their honey. He
cared for them tenderly, keeping them in straw skeps in a special
sheltered corner of the garden, where he planted the kinds of flowers
best loved by the bees.
Every time they swarmed, he captured the swarm very gently and lovingly
and set up yet another hive. He talked to the bees as he worked among
them and they buzzed around his head in clouds as if they were
responding. And, of course, they never stung him.
At the end of summer, they gave him much honey, so much that Modomnoc
needed help carrying it all inside. The monks never ran out of honey for
their meals or making mead to drink. The good Modomnoc thanked God for
this, and he also thanked the bees. He would walk among the skeps in the
evening and talk to them, and the bees, for their part, would crowd out
to meet him. All the other monks carefully avoided that corner of the
monastery garden because they were
afraid of being stung.
As well as thanking the bees, Modomnoc did everything he could to care
for them in cold and storm. Soon his years of study ended, and Modomnoc
had to return to Ireland to begin his priestly ministry. While he was
glad to be returning home, he knew he would be lonely for his bees. On
the day of his departure, he said good-bye to the Abbot, the monks, and
his fellow students. Then he went down to the garden to bid farewell to
his bees.
They came out in the hundreds of thousands in answer to his voice and
never was there such a buzzing and excitement among the rows and rows of
hives. The monks stood at a distance watching the commotion in wonder,
"You'd think the bees knew," they said. "You'd think they knew that
Modomnoc was going away."
Modomnoc resolutely turned and went down to the shore and embarked the
ship. When they were about three miles from the shore, Modomnoc saw what
looked like a little black cloud in the sky in the direction of the
Welsh coast. He watched it curiously and as it approached nearer, he saw
to his amazement that it was a swarm of bees that came nearer and nearer
until finally it settled on the edge of the boat near him. It was a
gigantic swarm--all the bees from all the hives, in fact. The
bees had followed him!
This time Modomnoc did not praise his friends. "How foolish of you," he
scolded them, "you do not belong to me but to the monastery! How do you
suppose the monks can do without honey, or mead? Go back at once, you
foolish creatures!" But if the bees understood what he said, they did
not obey him. They settled down on the boat with a sleepy kind of
murmur, and there they stayed. The sailors did not like it one bit and
asked Modomnoc what he intended to do.
He told them to turn the boat back for Wales. It was already too far for
the bees to fly back, even if they wanted to obey him. He could not
allow his little friends to suffer for their foolishness. But the wind
was blowing the boat to Ireland and when they turned back, the sail was
useless. The sailors had to furl it and row back to the Welsh coast.
They did it with very bad grace, but they were too much afraid of the
bees to do anything else.
Saint David and the monks were very surprised to see Modomnoc coming
back and looking rather ashamed. He told them what had happened. The
moment the boat had touched land again, the bees had made straight for
their hives and settled down contentedly again. "Wait until tomorrow,"
advised the abbot, "but don't say farewell to the bees again. They will
be over the parting by then."
Next morning, the boat was again in readiness for Modomnoc and this time
he left hurriedly without any fuss of farewell. But when they were about
three miles from the shore, he was dismayed to see again the little
black cloud rising up over the Welsh coast. Everyone recognised the
situation and the sailors turned back to shore immediately.
Once more the shamefaced Modomnoc had to seek out David and tell his
story. "What am I to do?" he pleaded. "I must go home. The bees won't
let me go without them. I can't deprive you of them. They are so useful
to the monastery."
David said, "Modomnoc, I give you the bees. Take them with my blessing.
I am sure they would not thrive without you. Take them. We'll get other
bees later on for the monastery."
The abbot went down to the boat and told the sailors the same story. "If
the bees follow Modomnoc for the third time, take them to Ireland with
him and my blessing." But it took a long time and a great deal of
talking to get the sailors to agree to this. They did not care who had
the bees as long as they weren't in their boat.
The abbot assured the sailors that the bees would give no trouble as
long as Modomnoc was onboard. The sailors asked, if that were so, why
the bees did not obey Modomnoc's command to return to the monastery.
After much back and forth, the sailors were finally persuaded into
starting out again.
For the third time the boat set sail, Modomnoc praying hard that the
bees would have the sense to stay in their pleasant garden rather than
risking their lives at sea. For the third time he saw the little black
cloud rising up in the distance, approaching nearer and nearer until he
saw it was the same swarm of bees again. It settled on the boat once
more. This time it did not turn back. Modomnoc coaxed his faithful
friends into a sheltered corner of the boat, where they remained quietly
throughout the journey, much to the sailors' relief.
When he landed in Ireland, he set up a church at a place called Bremore,
near Balbriggan, in County Dublin, and here he established the bees in a
happy garden just like the one they had in Wales. The place is known to
this day as "the Church of the Beekeeper."
He became a hermit at Tibberaghny in County Kilkenny and some say he was
later consecrated Bishop of Ossory(Benedictines , Curtayne).
Troparion of St Modomnock tone 4
Pomp and splendour held no attraction for thee, O Father Modomnock./ By
leaving the glitter of the world, thou didst freely embrace thy poverty
with the Waterman,/ praying for the salvation of all faithful souls.
Kontakion of St Modomnock tone 7
Retiring from the company of men,/ thou didst serve God in solitude, O
Father Modomnock,/ and thy Father, seeing thy virtue in secret,/
rewarded thee openly./ Therefore we glorify thy name/ and praise and
bless thy righteous memory.
St. Modomnoc O'Neil, Bishop
(Domnoc, Dominic, Modomnock)
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Died c. 550. Modomnoc, descended of the Irish royal line of O'Neil, had
to leave Ireland to train for the priesthood, since he was a student
before the creation of the great Irish monasteries. His name is most
likely to have been Dom or Donogh but the Celtic saints were so tenderly
loved that "my", "little" and "dear" were very often added to the names,
which completely altered their appearance. Another disciple from Ireland
much loved by St.David was originally called Aidan, but usually appears
in accounts of the monastery as Maidoc.
He crossed the English Channel to be educated under the great Saint
David at Mynyw (Menevia, now Saint David's) Monastery in Wales. All
those who resided in the community were expected to share in the manual
work as well as the study and worship, and there is a story which tells
how one day Modomnoc was working with another monk making a road, when
he had occasion to rebuke him for some matter. The other monk was seized
with anger and took up a crowbar, but before he could bring it down on
Modomnoc, SaintDavid, who was witness to the incident, stayed his arm by
his spiritual powers and it remained paralysed.
Modomnoc was given charge of the bees and he loved it. And so did
everyone else--they all loved honey, but few like taking charge of the
hives. Modomnoc liked the bees almost more than he liked their honey. He
cared for them tenderly, keeping them in straw skeps in a special
sheltered corner of the garden, where he planted the kinds of flowers
best loved by the bees.
Every time they swarmed, he captured the swarm very gently and lovingly
and set up yet another hive. He talked to the bees as he worked among
them and they buzzed around his head in clouds as if they were
responding. And, of course, they never stung him.
At the end of summer, they gave him much honey, so much that Modomnoc
needed help carrying it all inside. The monks never ran out of honey for
their meals or making mead to drink. The good Modomnoc thanked God for
this, and he also thanked the bees. He would walk among the skeps in the
evening and talk to them, and the bees, for their part, would crowd out
to meet him. All the other monks carefully avoided that corner of the
monastery garden because they were
afraid of being stung.
As well as thanking the bees, Modomnoc did everything he could to care
for them in cold and storm. Soon his years of study ended, and Modomnoc
had to return to Ireland to begin his priestly ministry. While he was
glad to be returning home, he knew he would be lonely for his bees. On
the day of his departure, he said good-bye to the Abbot, the monks, and
his fellow students. Then he went down to the garden to bid farewell to
his bees.
They came out in the hundreds of thousands in answer to his voice and
never was there such a buzzing and excitement among the rows and rows of
hives. The monks stood at a distance watching the commotion in wonder,
"You'd think the bees knew," they said. "You'd think they knew that
Modomnoc was going away."
Modomnoc resolutely turned and went down to the shore and embarked the
ship. When they were about three miles from the shore, Modomnoc saw what
looked like a little black cloud in the sky in the direction of the
Welsh coast. He watched it curiously and as it approached nearer, he saw
to his amazement that it was a swarm of bees that came nearer and nearer
until finally it settled on the edge of the boat near him. It was a
gigantic swarm--all the bees from all the hives, in fact. The
bees had followed him!
This time Modomnoc did not praise his friends. "How foolish of you," he
scolded them, "you do not belong to me but to the monastery! How do you
suppose the monks can do without honey, or mead? Go back at once, you
foolish creatures!" But if the bees understood what he said, they did
not obey him. They settled down on the boat with a sleepy kind of
murmur, and there they stayed. The sailors did not like it one bit and
asked Modomnoc what he intended to do.
He told them to turn the boat back for Wales. It was already too far for
the bees to fly back, even if they wanted to obey him. He could not
allow his little friends to suffer for their foolishness. But the wind
was blowing the boat to Ireland and when they turned back, the sail was
useless. The sailors had to furl it and row back to the Welsh coast.
They did it with very bad grace, but they were too much afraid of the
bees to do anything else.
Saint David and the monks were very surprised to see Modomnoc coming
back and looking rather ashamed. He told them what had happened. The
moment the boat had touched land again, the bees had made straight for
their hives and settled down contentedly again. "Wait until tomorrow,"
advised the abbot, "but don't say farewell to the bees again. They will
be over the parting by then."
Next morning, the boat was again in readiness for Modomnoc and this time
he left hurriedly without any fuss of farewell. But when they were about
three miles from the shore, he was dismayed to see again the little
black cloud rising up over the Welsh coast. Everyone recognised the
situation and the sailors turned back to shore immediately.
Once more the shamefaced Modomnoc had to seek out David and tell his
story. "What am I to do?" he pleaded. "I must go home. The bees won't
let me go without them. I can't deprive you of them. They are so useful
to the monastery."
David said, "Modomnoc, I give you the bees. Take them with my blessing.
I am sure they would not thrive without you. Take them. We'll get other
bees later on for the monastery."
The abbot went down to the boat and told the sailors the same story. "If
the bees follow Modomnoc for the third time, take them to Ireland with
him and my blessing." But it took a long time and a great deal of
talking to get the sailors to agree to this. They did not care who had
the bees as long as they weren't in their boat.
The abbot assured the sailors that the bees would give no trouble as
long as Modomnoc was onboard. The sailors asked, if that were so, why
the bees did not obey Modomnoc's command to return to the monastery.
After much back and forth, the sailors were finally persuaded into
starting out again.
For the third time the boat set sail, Modomnoc praying hard that the
bees would have the sense to stay in their pleasant garden rather than
risking their lives at sea. For the third time he saw the little black
cloud rising up in the distance, approaching nearer and nearer until he
saw it was the same swarm of bees again. It settled on the boat once
more. This time it did not turn back. Modomnoc coaxed his faithful
friends into a sheltered corner of the boat, where they remained quietly
throughout the journey, much to the sailors' relief.
When he landed in Ireland, he set up a church at a place called Bremore,
near Balbriggan, in County Dublin, and here he established the bees in a
happy garden just like the one they had in Wales. The place is known to
this day as "the Church of the Beekeeper."
He became a hermit at Tibberaghny in County Kilkenny and some say he was
later consecrated Bishop of Ossory(Benedictines , Curtayne).
Troparion of St Modomnock tone 4
Pomp and splendour held no attraction for thee, O Father Modomnock./ By
leaving the glitter of the world, thou didst freely embrace thy poverty
with the Waterman,/ praying for the salvation of all faithful souls.
Kontakion of St Modomnock tone 7
Retiring from the company of men,/ thou didst serve God in solitude, O
Father Modomnock,/ and thy Father, seeing thy virtue in secret,/
rewarded thee openly./ Therefore we glorify thy name/ and praise and
bless thy righteous memory.
SOURCE :
http://abbaaw.blogspot.ca/2009/02/st-modomnoc-oneil-and-bees.html
San Modomnock
Abate
m. 550 ca.
Fu abate di Tipra Fachtnai (Tibberaghny, contea di Kilkenny) alla fine
del VI e all'inizio del VII sec.; è commemorato da solo il 13 febbraio nei
martirologi irlandesi e, insieme a s. Maedoc di Ferns il 18 maggio.
Con Maedoc di Ferns (m. 626) e Scuithin di Sliab Mairge, era discepolo di s. David nel Galles. L'infondata notizia secondo cui "fu lui ad introdurre dal Galles le api in Irlanda" si trova nella Vita di s. Molaa e, più ampiamente, in quella di s. David.
Autore: Leonard Boyle
