Late 6th century; second feast on July 19; feast day celebrated on
August 10 in some places. Saint Blane, a disciple of
Saint Comgall (f.d. May 10)
and
Saint Canice (f.d. October 11),
was nobly born on Bute
Island, Scotland. He returned home to finish his education under his
uncle
Bishop Saint Cathan (f.d. May 17),
was ordained to the priesthood,
founded a monastery at Kingarth (Bute), and evangelized among the Picts.
He made a pilgrimage to Rome. Later in Scotland, Blane became bishop,
probably at Dunblane, where he is buried and his bell is preserved. This
became the site of Dunblane cathedral. Several hymns, a catechism, and
other extant works are attributed to him, and several places bear his
name on Bute and other parts of Scotland
(
Attwater,
Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia,
Farmer,
Husenbeth,
Montague).
Troparion of St Blane tone 5
Drifting over the sea in a boat without oars/ thou wast directed by God
to the Island of Bute, O Hierarch Blane,/ where thou didst devote
thyself to apostolic labours./ O worker of miracles,/ thou art worthy to
be praised as Equal to the Apostles./ Wherefore we beseech thee pray to
Christ our God/ that He will raise up labourers to re-cultivate that
northern part of His
Vineyard,/ so long overgrown with the darnel of heresy and apostasy,/
which thou didst once tend with such care,/ that again many may be lead
into the way of salvation.