Acca from Hexham

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Acca von Hexham (* around 660; † October 20, 737, 740 or 742) is an English saint . He was bishop of Hexham , then Hagustald , from 709 to 732 .

youth

Remnant of the cross (without transom) from the head of Acca's tomb in St Andrews Abbey, Hexham

Acca was born in Northumbria , England around 660 . He was educated since childhood by Bosa , who later became Bishop of York. Then he joined Wilfrid of York at 678 and accompanied him on his second trip to Rome in 692. Upon their return, Wilfrid made Acca Abbot of St. Andrews Convent in Hexham.

bishop

After Wilfrid's death in 709, Acca succeeded him as Bishop of Hexham. He eagerly tried to enforce the Roman liturgy and teaching that he had come to know on his journey. He collected relics of the apostles and martyrs for his church and created an important library with the lives of saints and other religious writings. He supported Beda Venerabilis and further developed Wilfrid's church art and music.

Acca consecrated Hwetbyrht in 716 as Ceolfrid's successor as Abbot of Wearmouth. In 732 he was deposed after a revolt against Ceolwulf , so it can be assumed that he was involved in this conspiracy against the king.

Exile and death

After his dismissal, Acca may have expanded Whithorn Monastery in Galloway into a bishopric and brought the cult of St. Andrew with him, in the course of which Andrew became the Scottish national saint.

Acca died on October 20, 737, 740 or 742. Two stone crosses adorned his grave next to Hexham Church. Fragments of the cross believed to have come from his grave can still be seen in Hexham today (picture).

Aftermath

Soon after his death, Acca was venerated as a saint.

Around 1050 his relics were reburied in a shrine inside the church. His chasuble, tunic and handkerchief as well as a wooden box were recovered from his grave and venerated as relics. Further transfers took place in 1154 and 1240.

  • Anglican Remembrance Day: October 20 (anniversary of death)
  • Catholic and Anglican Remembrance Day: February 19 ( Translatio )
  • Patron of learning

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Beda Venerabilis , Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum V Chap XX
  2. ↑ a b c Acca von Hexham in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints
  3. ↑ Acca's Cross. ( Memento of January 17, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Hexham Abbey website, accessed January 17, 2017 (English)
  4. ↑ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 737
  5. ↑ a b Symeon of Durham , Historia regum Anglorum et Dacorum
predecessor Office successor
Wilfrid Bishop of Hexham
709-732 		Frithoberht
personal data
SURNAME Acca from Hexham
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English bishop of Hexham
DATE OF BIRTH around 660
DATE OF DEATH October 20, 737 or 740 or 742