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| Where the monks came from.
The first monks in Scotland came from Ireland. They sailed from Antrim to Argyll. The short sea crossing was only fourteen miles. A monk could easily sail from Ireland to Scotland and back in a few hours. Columba sailed from Antrim to Jura around the year 563. Later he founded an important abbey on the small island of Iona.
There are many amazing stories about St Columba. Click here to listen to one which involves a monster!
Monastery
The first monks wanted to live simple lives like Christ. Their churches were very plain inside with very little decoration. However the abbeys soon became rich from gifts from kings and other wealthy pilgrims. Most preaching was done outside beside the large stone crosses and the open-air altars.
Monk聮s cell
Monks in the Celtic Church had their own cell or stone hut to live and
sleep in. Cells were very simple shelters made of dry stanes in a domed
beehive shape. Some monks were hermits who shut themselves away from the
world. They spent their days praying and studying the Bible and seldom
left their cell. Other monks built their cell within the vallum or holy
boundary of an abbey.
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