Saint · 484
Brendan the Navigator
Saint Brendan the Navigator
New Calendar May 16 Old Calendar May 29
Why they are a saint
Saint Brendan was born around 484 in Tralee, County Kerry, in the province of Munster (southwestern Ireland). The Orthodox Church commemorates Brendan the Navigator on May 16.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Life
Saint Brendan was born around 484 at Tralee in County Kerry, to Finnlug and Cara, and as a child was entrusted to Saint Ita of Killeedy, then educated at Saint Jarlath's school at Tuam. He founded monasteries in the Aran Islands and elsewhere in Ireland, and churches in Brittany and Wales, and he visited Saint Columba in Scotland.
A famous account tells of his voyage across the sea with monastic companions; the source notes that some stories about him are fabulous. He founded the monastery of Clonfert on the Shannon in 561, and is counted among the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland'. He reposed on May 16, 578, at ninety-four.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Brendan the Navigator as a patron when they bear the name Brendan at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on May 16.
Prayer
O holy Brendan the Navigator, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.