Cedd, Abbot of Lastingham,
Bishop of the East Saxons
26 October -- Commemoration
If celebrated as a Lesser Festival,
Common of Missionaries, page 503
Cedd was born in Northumbria in the late sixth century and
joined the monastery of Lindisfarne where he served many
years. When King Peada of the Middle Angles became a
Christian, Cedd was sent with three other priests to preach
the gospel in this new territory. Some time later, King
Sigebert of the East Saxons was converted and Cedd, now an
experienced missionary, went with another priest to Essex.
After travelling through the region they reported back to
Lindisfarne where Cedd was consecrated bishop for the East
Saxons. He returned to Essex to continue his work, building
churches, two monasteries, and ordaining deacons and
priests. While on a visit to Northumbria he founded his
third monastery, at Lastingham, where he died of fever in
664 after attending the Synod of Whitby.