ST. COLUMBA:

By: Shyan Chapman 06-11-04

Columba was born in Gartan, Ireland on December

7,521 to parents Phelim-prince of the Scotti in Ulster

and Eithne-princess from the great house of Leinster.

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It is said that on August 22,565, St. Columba encountered the Loch Ness Monster.

St. Columba was a strong willed Christian even though he was trained by Irish Monks.

St. Columba took sail to Britain as "a pilgrim for Christ" and there he founded the monastery of Iona, spreading Christianity across Northern Britain.

St. Columba traveled to many places preaching in the name of Christ and spreading Christianity. It is said that when St. Columba traveled to Scotland he witnessed from the shore of Loch Ness, men in a boat pulling a dead man out of the water. The man had been out for a swim on the warm day in August when he was attacked and killed by a monster beneath the water.

Needing to cross the Loch, St. Columba ordered one of his followers to swim across the Loch and fetch him a boat. Doing as told, Lugne Mocumin dove into the Loch to bring back a boat.

From the shore St. Columba and his followers could hear a mighty roar and saw a creature dart toward Lugne and open it's jaws. Everyone on the shore was terrified except for St. Columba who remained calm.

St. Columba raised his hand and made the sign of the cross. Columba then commanded the beast by saying,

" You will go no further, and won't touch the man, go back at once!"

Then the great beast did as it was ordered and sank away at once as if frightened.

There are many different versions of this story, such as it is with any story. Some who are not of the Christian faith believed the story to have never taken place. Thought it was a ploy to gain more followers. Saying God would save anyone and the cross can send evil away. Like Vampires and their phobia of the mighty cross. But who knows....

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