God's Generals - Saint Bede

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE (673-735)

There is actually no documentation of how Christianity took root in Britain. The first hint of Christianity in Britain was found in the writings of Tertullian. Perhaps the first tangible evidence by the Church historian, Bede was the martyrdom of the soldier Alban who gave a shelter to a Christian Priest.

Bede was known as the "Father of English church History". Bede, at that time was probably the most learned man in England. He wrote Books on theology and scripture including numerous Bible commentaries. His most famous work was "The Ecclesiastical History of the English People" which served as the chief source of information regarding early Christianity in England.

Bede was a skilled linguist and translator whose work made the Latin and Greek writings of the early church fathers more accessible to the Anglo Saxons which contributed significantly to English Christianity.

The story is told that he died as he was completing his translation of John's Gospel. On his dying bed, his scribe told him the work has been completed. These were Bede's last words to his assistant "Take my head between your hands and raise me, that I may call on my Father. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost". At this words, Bede breathed his last and died at age 61 as a true God's General who aided the development of Christianity in Britain.

In 1899, Bede was accorded the high title "Doctor of the Church" by Pope Leo XIII and also given the title "Venerable".

SOURCE: "70 GREAT CHRISTIANS" BY GEOFFREY HANKS.