Saint Wilfrid

Biography

Wilfrid (c. 633 – 709 or 710) was an English bishop and saint, born a Northumbrian noble. He entered religious life as a teenager and studied at Lindisfarne, Canterbury, in Francia, and Rome. Returning to Northumbria around 660, Wilfrid became the abbot of Ripon's newly founded monastery. His famous speech at the Synod of Whitby advocating for the Roman method of calculating Easter earned him prominence. This success led King Alhfrith to appoint him Bishop of Northumbria, though his consecration took place in Gaul due to concerns over valid bishops in England at that time. Wilfrid's tenure as bishop was marked by conflict with Ecgfrith and Theodore of Tarsus, resulting in his exile to Selsey where he founded an episcopal see and converted the pagan inhabitants. Theodore eventually restored him as Bishop of Northumbria but Wilfrid was expelled again by Aldfrith. He appealed to Rome and regained possession of Ripon and Hexham before dying in 709 or 710. Venerated as a saint, his life is celebrated on April 24.