Today we celebrate the Venerable Winifred of Wales. Saint Winifred was of noble lineage and the niece of Saint Beuno. Graced with both physical and spiritual beauty, many sought her hand in marriage however the holy one was steadfast that she preserve her virginity for Christ’s sake. Once when Winifred was at home alone, a prince named Caradog rode past on his horse and was struck by her beauty and desired to marry her. Her resolve to become a nun and preserve her virginity remained steadfast and so the prince attempted to take he by force. Winifred struggled free and escaped, however the prince caught up to her and out of anger, struck her head off with his sword. Her head rolled down the hillside and into the churchyard where her uncle, Saint Beuno, was serving the Liturgy. Her kin and the congregation were mortified, however a spring of healing water sprang forth at the place where the saint’s head fell. Saint Beuno took her head and replaced it on Winifred’s body. Through his prayers, the young girl came back to life. A red line around her head remained for the rest of her life as a testament to this miracle. Soon after, she received the monastic tonsure and gathered eleven nuns around her, instructing them in piety and faith. Having made a pilgrimage to Rome and being greatly influenced by the monastic life there, she called the Synod of Winifred which established a common ascetic life for monastics in Wales. Having established various monastic communities, and being enthroned as abbess at one of them, she peacefully reposed in the Lord on this day in 660AD. Her fragrant relics and tomb proved to be a well spring of miracles. May she intercede for us always + #saint #winifred #wales #nun #monastic #holy #beauty #peace #love #beuno #britishisles #british #britain #love #abbess #prayer #orthodox (at Gwytherin, Clwyd, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeRW3BLxUM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
