Saint of the Day – 19 December – Saint Manirus of Scotland (c 700-824) Confessor, Bishop, Missionary Manirus is venerated as one of the Apostles of northern Scotland. His work seems to have concentrated on encouraging the newly converted Highlanders in their faith. Born in c 700 in Scotland and died in 824 in Scotland of natural causes. Also known as – Manire, Monire, Miniar, Niniar.
The last of the Celtic Apostles to bring the Gospel to Deeside, were St Devenick and St Manirus. Both were active in the valley during the 9th century but their Sees were widely separated.
St Manirus’ main sphere of activity was on upper Deeside, in the Crathie district, where he established his Church. The site of Manirus’ foundation is at Rhynabaich, a knoll to the north of the North Deeside Road.
A solitary standing-stone is all that remains of Manirus’ establishment but local place-names such as “Alt Eaglais, the burn of the Church,” “Ereag Eaglais, the hill of the Church,” “Pollmanire, the pool of Manire” – a deep salmon pool on the river Dee almost opposite Balmoral Castle – recall the activities of this almost forgotten Saint. The ancient Church site at Crathie south of the present Crathie-Kirk, is under his invocation.
Some might have forgotten our Saint but he has long been honoured on this day, 19 December, in Church calendars of the area where he evangelised.
He is said to have suffered persecution but did not receive the crown of martyrdom. Hence he appears in the Calendars as a Confessor,
Manire is believed to have died in 824 and to have been buried in his Church at Crathie.
AnaStpaul 