6th century. Non is an obscure Irish saint of noble birth, or perhaps
born of noble descent in Dyfed, Wales. She resided at a convent in Ty
Gwyn near present-day St. David's in Wales. She was the unwed mother of
St. David after being seduced by a local chieftain named Sant. As
penance for this evil deed Sant founded a monastery at a place some
eight miles from Altarnon now called Lezant. William of Worcester states
that St David was born at Altarnon if so making him Cornish by birth.
She died in Brittany. Her relics were enshrined in Cornwall until the
time of the impious Reformation
(
Benedictines,
Delaney,
Encyclopaedia).
She is also patron of this parish,
Pelynt, near Looe
She is also patron of the parish of Dirinon in Brittany.
Alternon on Cornwall is the church where St Nonna's Altar stone is
preserved.
-oOo-
Saint Nonna
A Celebration of Tenacity
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Very little is known about the late-fifth-century Saint Nonna (or
Nonnita in Welsh, Non) other than the fact that she was the mother of
Saint David, Patron of Wales. She herself, however, is more closely
connected with Altarnon in Cornwall, where a church and a well are
dedicated to her. Her tomb lies in Dirinon in Brittany, where she died.
Her strong connections in the three British Celtic lands with
dedications in Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany suggest that she was an
important saint in her own right and not simply the mother of a major
patron. Evidently, she was a nun at least in the latter part of her
life. The later legends show confusion on this last point, since to
those writing them down in the medieval church celibacy was very much a
factor, and the birth of Saint David had to be accommodated somehow.
Some legends claim that she was a nun ravished by someone named Sant;
but this explanation is too formulaic for mothers of major figures. Such
stories attempt rather clumsily to show that the mother had not
willingly conceived and was therefore pure, as was the Virgin Mary. The
name Sant 'Saint' likewise arouses suspicions.
The alternative story that she was the daughter of a powerful chieftain
of the area around what is now St David's in Dyfed seems far more
likely, given her importance in a wide area. At that time, the chief
saints were often from the ruling families of Britain, and her
membership in the "nobility" would certainly afford her movement between
Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany.
At this point, a pervasive and tenacious legend enters the picture one
that is so persistent that it may well contain some factual basis. When
she was pregnant with Saint David, for some reason she was out alone
along the coast of Dyfed, on the peninsula now called St David's Head on
the very edge of Wales. As some legends would have it, she was exiled
from her home, perhaps because she was with child against the wishes of
her family.
On the eve of the first of March, a storm came crashing in from the sea.
Such storms in that area are ferocious and terrifying, with waves
breaking violently on the cliffs and coursing over them. Pelted by rain
and whipped by fierce winds, she clung to a rock throughout the night.
In the morning, the sun rose and her child was born. There is still a
rock standing there with indentations claimed to have been made by
Nonna's hands. A short distance away is St David's Cathedral.
The Symbol
The symbol of Saint Nonna is a rock, with two indentations on the sides,
representing the grasp the saint maintained on that rock. The rock
itself is the Rock of Christ the unswerving faith in his Word to which
Saint Peter (whose name means 'the rock') and Saint Nonna clung so
tenaciously. Within the rock is the Trinity knot, the never-ending
connectedness of God the Creator, the Redeemer, the Sustainer all of one
essence. Upon this rock is the cross of the Celtic Church, being also of
one essence with the rock itself. Thus it is that our tenacious grasp on
the rock of faith is inspired by the Trinity and is both what makes up
Christ's Holy Church and what holds it up as well.
-oOo-
Troparion of St Non
Tone 3
Having given birth to the patron of the Welsh, most pious Non,
thou didst rejoice to serve Christ God in thine appointed station.
Wherefore, O Saint, intercede for us that we may be saved
from the worldly spirit of dissatisfaction
and through God's mercy be found worthy of eternal salvation.
Kontakion of St Non
Tone 7
With joy thou didst instruct thy son
in our saving faith, O holy Non,
teaching him in all things to obey the commands of Christ's Gospel
by becoming a missionary and messenger of salvation.
All praise and honour is thy due,
therefore we sing: Alleluia.
St. Non's chapel, Wales
Photographs of
St. Non's well, nearby St. David's cathedral, Wales