Saints

Monk. Born in Rome, in 354, Arsenius is said to have been a deacon, and later a tutor to the Emperor Theodosius' children in Constantinople. He was rewarded with money, servants and possessions and lived a luxurious life. But after ten years he felt God calling him and gave everything away, to join a group of desert monks near Wadi Narun in Egypt. According to ancient accounts, when he arrived i... Read More

There were two early English saints with this name. St Edburga of Bicester died around 650. She was a nun and probably an abbess. The base of a shrine dedicated to her can still be seen in the church at Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire. Her namesake, St Edburga of Winchester, lived 300 years later. She was a daughter of Edward the Elder, King of Wessex and grand daughter of King Alfred the Great.... Read More

Princess. St Kunigunde or Kinga, was born in 1226 in Hungary. Her family was distinguished for its political power as well as its holy women. Her aunts included St Elizabeth of Hungary, St Hedwig and St Agnes of Prague. Her sisters included St Margaret and Blessed Yolande. At the age of 15, she became engaged to the man who was to become the next King of Poland, Boleslaw V. Soon after their wed... Read More