Ceadda (Chad), Abbot, Saint

CEADDA (CHAD), abbot, saint. – Perhaps originally from Northumbria. The year of his birth is uncertain; he died, according to Bede, who is the best source for his life, in 672. He was educated at Lindisfarne and became abbot of Lastingham. Since the see of York was temporarily vacant because its incumbent, St. Vilfrido, had gone to Gaul and was slow to return, he was invited by its king to occupy the see, which he did, thereby earning the reproach of St. Teodoro, bishop of Canterbury, who invited him to yield the place to the incumbent, who had returned to his see. C. returned to his monastery, whence St. Teodoro summoned him in 669 to entrust him with the episcopal see of Lichfieldt in the kingdom of Mercia. His relics, at the time of the Protestant Reformation, were saved by Catholics and are now in the cathedral of Birmingham dedicated to him. His feast falls on 2 March.