New Word Alive - the Welsh Connection

I was asked recently to provide four snapshots of Welsh Christian history for the New Word Alive news-sheet at this years conference. The purpose was to show those coming to the conferences that we have our own particular history and heritage. The challenge was, not only to decide which parts of our story to share, but also to do it in 350 words or less! Here is the first of four.

The Welsh Connection #1
Yes, we’re in Wales, and you won’t go far in this country without finding place names which sound strange to any except the Welsh. But these show that this is a country with a long Christian tradition. The Romans brought the gospel here, but it was in the fifth century that it really became widespread and effective. Missionaries came from Gaul and travelled, one by one, to different parts of the country. Everywhere they went they preached, and when they had gathered a church, usually a village or settlement was formed. These settlements around the churches were called LLAN and often the name of the Celtic saint/missionary was incorporated into the name. (By the way, the LL in Welsh is pronounced by placing the tip of the tongue on the back of the front teeth, and blowing.) There are over 500 places with their names beginning with Llan, and most of them relate to this time when Christianity spread throughout the land. We can but admire these men who came to spread the gospel here.
One of the reasons for the missionaries coming was that the teachings of Pelagius – whose teaching suggested that man was not tainted with original sin - were gaining ground here. Garmon, bishop of Auxerre, was sent to combat this, and there are a number of places called Llanarmon after him. Celtic Christianity placed an emphasis on preaching, education, and a disciplined life. The influence of Illtud, who set up a divinity school in South Wales, was widespread, and it is said that Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and possibly David, who became the patron saint of Wales, were educated there. In the seventh century the Celtic church began to come more under the influence of Rome. Later on some of these places became places of pilgrimage. It is said that three pilgrimages to Bardsey Island, off the coast of the Lleyn Peninsula, was equal to one pilgrimage to Rome.