Born in Cashel, Ulster, Ireland; died c. 560. Son of the king of Cashel
(Munster), Saint Kessog is said to have worked miracles even as a child.
He left Ireland to evangelize Scotland, where he was consecrated a
missionary bishop. Using Monks' Island in Loch Lomond as his
headquarters, he evangelized the surrounding area until he was martyred,
though where is uncertain--some claim at Bandry where a heap of stones
was known as St. Kessog's Cairn, and others abroad. Part of the cairn at
Bandry was removed in the 18th century to clear the way for a road. At
that time, a stone statue of Kessog was found inside it. Luss was the
principal centre of his cultus with a sanctuary granted by Robert the
Bruce.
Many miracles were ascribed to Kessog, who is the patron of Lennox. A
celebrated Scottish church still bears the title of St. Kessoge-Kirk.
For a long time the Scots used his name for their cry in battle, but
later changed it for that of Saint Andrew. They sometimes painted Kessog
in a soldier's habit, holding a bow bent with an arrow in it
(
Benedictines,
Delaney,
Farmer,
Husenbeth).
Troparion of St Kessog
Tone 6
Thy life was resplendent with miracles, O Hierarch Kessog,
and as thou didst devote thy life to missionary labours,
teach us the way to devote our lives to the service of the Church
that Christ our God will have mercy on our souls.
Kontakion of St Kessog
Tone 4
That God is not served by idleness is the message of thy life, O
Wonderworker Kessog.
For thy ceaseless efforts thou art rewarded in heaven
and this day art praised by the Lord's lazy and most
unprofitable servants.