St Cuthbert

Who was Cuthbert?

In his lifetime, Cuthbert (635-687) was an influential churchman who was Prior of Melrose and then of Lindisfarne. He was a venerated religious figure, and a successful preacher who was responsible for the spread of Christianity in the North of England.

In his life, Cuthbert’s importance lay in his role as a preacher and hermit. Accounts of his life show that he embodied the values of humility, simplicity and tolerance, and he must have been revered as a model Christian. He is also reported to have performed many healing miracles and was treated as a saint upon his death.

The story of Cuthbert does not end at his death. In 698, Cuthbert's tomb on Lindisfarne was reopened and it was discovered  that his body had not decomposed in any way, his body was incorrupt, and his tomb quickly became a magnet for pilgrims. Miracles reported at his grave became so numerous that Cuthbert was called the ‘Wonder-worker of England’. As a result of these miraculous occurrences, he was canonised as a saint.

You can find out more about St Cuthbert on any good website, this one may be a place to start

Cuthbert’s body has been in Durham since 995, and the grave is still a shrine to which pilgrims travel.

I was raised in Darlington, in the County of Durham we, like many places I imagine have a St Cuthbert’s Church, and of course the Cathedral at Durham. Those of you who know me and have attended worship at any time during my ministry will be familer with the Pectoral Cross that I wear.

The St Cuthbert Cross.

This Pectoral Cross was removed from the coffin of St Cuthbert on the last occasion that it was opened on Thursday 17th May 1827. Made of gold the stones are garnets. The cross was discovered deeply buried amongst the robes on the breast. A portion of the silk cord, twisted with gold, by which it had been suspended, was found upon the breast. 

A tradition, however, says the bones were not St Cuthbert's these having been removed to safety in another part of the cathedral sometime between 1542 and 1558. But the cross may well still have been his, placed with another body as a "ruse".

The shape and design of the Cross are copyright and are the property of the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral, and if you go to the Cathedral you may purchase a simple inexpensive copy for yourself.

My Cross was made for me by Peter Shorer, London, who had the permission or license at the time of the Dean and Chapter to make the Cross’s for sale in the gift shop, and after seeking authorisation, he made my Cross as a ‘one off’ using the template that he used for the gift shop replicas.

At the time I could not afford to have the garnets inlaid, so opted for red enamel, otherwise it is identical. I wear it primarily to remind me of my roots.