Ithamar (bishop)

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Ithamar (Saxon name unknown), first Saxon bishop in England and first Saxon bishop of Rochester.

He was consecrated by Honorius, and was said by Bede to be

of the Kentish nation, but not inferior to his [episcopal] predecessors for learning and conduct of life.^[1].

Upon consecration as bishop, he took his new name from Ithamar, a son of Aaron, from whom descended the priestly families of the Old Testament period. There are other examples of the adoption of episcopal names in this period — but an Old Testament name of this kind lies outside the practice attested for the Gregorian mission in England or in its Roman background, or that for Irish bishops in England and the Englishmen consecrated by them. Only among the British churches of Wales and Cornwall is there any custom of using Old Testament names such as David, Asaph, Samson, and so on. The naming of Bishop Ithamar hints that there was more significant British influence on the early English church, even in Kent, than Bede was aware of or willing to admit.^[2]

As bishop, he consecrated Deusdedit as the first Saxon archbishop of Canterbury on 26th March 655.

After his death he was made a saint and given a shrine at Rochester Cathedral.

[edit] References

1. ^ Bede, Ecclesiastical History, 3.14
2. ^ Article on the naming

Religious Posts
Preceded by Paulinus of York	Bishop of Rochester 644–664	Succeeded by Damianus