This week in Christian history: Irish saint dies, first American Lutheran pastor ordained, Anastasius becomes pope

Saint Columbanus – Nov. 23, 615

This week marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Columbanus, an Irish saint and missionary known for his evangelism in mainland Europe and his influence on monasticism.

A native of Leinster, Ireland, who was also known as Columban, Columbanus entered the monastery in his native land before engaging in missionary work in France in the 580s.

Columbanus helped found and oversee monastic communities in modern-day Germany and Italy, periodically being driven from places due to his occasional criticism of local political leaders.

“Having received a grant of land from the Lombard king, Columbanus founded his last monastery in the town of Bobbio during 614,” explained Catholic News Agency.

“Although St. Columbanus died on Nov. 23 of the following year, the abbey at Bobbio remained a center of theological orthodoxy and cultural preservation for centuries afterward.”