St. Seiriol, a Welsh hermit and son of a king, lived in the sixth century. The saint lived as a hermit on Anglesey, where his little “beehive” cell and holy well still exist. According to tradition, he was a close friend of another Welsh ascetic, St. Cybi, and the saintly friends used to walk round the island together in silent prayer. Extant medieval stories relate miracles performed by the men of God Seiriol and Cybi, who lived in east and west Anglesey, respectively. Both of them are venerated as the patron saints of Anglesey, and it was said that “their prayers wholly protected the island.”
Seiriol’s disciples built a monastery near Penmon on the south-eastern tip of Anglesey and Seiriol became its first abbot. Later, Penmon was to become one of the major insular monastic centres in Wales; it was dedicated to St. Seiriol, and Orthodox ascetic life flourished here until the tenth century.
Pilgrimage to St Seiriol’s Holy Well, with Great Vespers. 29 June
| 10.30am | Leave Shrewsbury |
| 12.00pm | Lunch stop at Philippa’s beach hut at Penmaenmawr. parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wZP6ErSUPdcKz6Qy6. Beach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gQPpu86mvzfqBbLz9. Bring and share lunch. There is a safe paddling pool for children, a cafe, ice creams, and a toilet. |
| 1.30pm | leave Penmaenmawr for Beaumaris |
| 2.00pm | Pilgrimage to Penmon |
| (optional diversion en route for those interested in visiting Beaumaris Castle | |
| 4.30pm | Blessing of the waters at St. Seiriol’s well: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CUzjfsaKowysis1A |
| 5.00pm | Vespers at St. Seiriol’s Priory Church: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ekVZngGk6M2Y3BbcA |
| 6.00pm | return to Shrewsbury |
Please sign up via the Event Page below and let us know if (a) you can give lifts, or (b) whether you would like a lift.