THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IN GLASGOW CELEBRATES THE MEMORY OF ST CONSTANTIN

On Tuesday 23rd of March 2010, a special polyeleos service dedicated to St. Constantine, the first Scottish Martyr, was held by the Russian Orthodox parish of St. Kentigern in Glasgow. Once the king of Cornwall, he founded a monastery in Glasgow, on the spot where  Govan Old Church now stands. The Russian Orthodox parish has been conducting Liturgies and prayer services there since February 2010. 

Govan Old Church was built in 1888 by the renowned Scottish architect Robert Rowand Anderson. The ancient Christian tombstones found during archaeological excavations were placed inside the church. The main relic of the church is a stone sarcophagus in which, according to  legend, the relics of St. Constantine reposed. St. Constantine has been accepted in martyrdom around 576 year. The feast of St. Constantine is celebrated on 11/24 March.

A day earlier, March 10/23, is the date when another local champion of Christianity is honoured - St. Kessog, killed by pagans in 520. A native of Ireland, he arrived in Scotland as a missionary bishop, and founded a  monastery on an island in Loch Lomond. Until the middle of the 10th century St. Kessog was regarded as the heavenly patron of Scotland prior to the establishment of the Apostle St. Andrew in that role. 

To Russian Orthodox people living in Scotland, commemorating the ancient Christian saints of the undivided Church is of great importance. It is a source of joy to them to know that they are praying on the same soil where many centuries ago their brethren in the faith prayed as well and where they have found heavenly intercessors among local Saints. Modern Orthodox believers believe it is their sacred duty to revive the forgotten memory of the pioneers of Christianity in Scotland. 

NOTE
In 2007 the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church established a local commemoration of the company of those saints whose light shone in the lands of Britain and Ireland, which occurs in the third week of the Holy Pentecost. The search for forgotten names and evidence of hagiographical and historical progress is continuing.