ST. FERGUS, BISHOP OF GLAMIS

Celebrated November 27

St. Fergus was a bishop in Ireland for many years, being called "the Pict" in his own country. Then he went to Western Scotland, where he settled near Strogeth and founded three churches. From there he went to Caithness, where, according to The Aberdeen Breviary, "he occupied himself in converting the barbarous people". Then he went to Lungley in Buchan, where he built a church, and thence to Glamis, where he built another church. St. Fergus was very likely the Scottish bishop of the same name who signed the acts of a Council convened by Pope Gregory II in Rome in 721. He died early in the eighth century (November 18 or 27).

After some time the abbot of Scone placed his relics in marble and carried off his head to his monastery, where many miracles were performed (his arm was preserved at Aberdeen). A woman with a tumor on her head was restored to health. Again, at Lungley, some sick people keeping vigil in the church saw a reverend figure in bishop's vestments preparing to perform the Divine Mysteries, who quickly disappeared. On another occasion his staff was thrown into the waves and caused a storm to cease.

Holy Father Fergus, pray to God for us!

By Vladimir Moss. Posted with permission.

(Sources: Alexander Forbes, Calendars of Scottish Saints, Edinburgh: Edmonston & Douglas, 1872, pp. 336-338; David Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978, p. 27)