The Abbey

There are, of course, whole volumes dedicated to the historical and religious significance of this island, the community and buildings to be found there.

I am painting only the briefest of pictures with the lightest of brushes... hopefully, just enough to whet your appetite for seeking out information on your own - or better yet, for visiting Iona yourself!

Most of the islands historical/religious buildings have been restored or rebuilt over a 120 year period, but are laid out much as they would have been in the 1200's.

The ecclesiastical buildings are now all entrusted to Historic Scotland and they maintain the properties, including the Abbey, the Nunnery ruins (above, which are considered to be the finest in the UK) and the cemetery, in which many Princes and Kings of Ireland and the Northern Isles are reputedly buried, including Duncan and MacBeth. (Yes, Shakespeare's, Macbeth!)

My favorite part of the Abbey was the Cloister - 

a central court around which monastic communities 

organized their domestic quarters. 

The covered walkways linked the church  

with the domestic buildings 

but also served as a place for quiet contemplation 

and as part of the processional route 

around the Abbey.

There are only 3 original columns remaining (those on the far left); 

the rest were replaced in the 1950's, 

although all are showing signs of erosion 

given the harsh weather conditions on the island.

The 'new' columns have lovely carvings 

celebrating the flora, 

fauna and 

wild life found on the island. 

The corner pillars depict scenes of religious import:

the Nativity,

the parable of the mustard seed,

the Alpha and Omega,

(I love how it  seems to emerge from the darkness)

and the Cup of Life.

In the center of the cloister garden is a sculpture called- 

The Descent of the Spirit - 

which we all agreed was 

out of place and totally unnecessary.

There is a duplicate statue in 

New Harmony, IN

and somehow it seems far more suited to the 

Roofless Church there...

(although amazingly, not one person asked us for our opinion!)

One interesting 'factoid' I picked up on this trip

is that when you see effigies of royalty - 

in this case, the Duke of Argyll

and his third wife, Ina, 

who initiated the Abbeys restoration

in the late 1800's -

if, like the Duchess, they're wearing their crown, 

it means their remains are buried on site.

If there's no crown (see the Duke;

his crown was at his feet),

it indicates his remains are buried elsewhere.

(In his case, interred in family burial grounds

at Kilmun, Argyll.

Now if only THAT was a question 

at the next Trivia night I attend, 

I could actually use that bit 

of arcane knowledge!

What I'm finding from these last few posts

is that I am NOT cut out to be a

travel guide...

truth is

historical dates and facts just don't interest me...

but beauty does,

the experiential reality 

of sitting in a dark chapel 

that has held the hopes, 

dreams, sadness 

and petitions

of pilgrims 

for centuries 

and recognizing myself

as a small part of the throng 

who has born witness to the belief

that there's a reality beyond what we know 

in this life

and wanting to get closer still 

to the One who 

created all things;

that does interest me.

Here are other scenes from around the Abbey

that don't need any explanation - 

but can be enjoyed best in quiet 

and stillness.

Now, O Lord,

calm me into a quietness that heals and listens,

that molds my longings and passions,

my wounds and wonderings

into a more holy, human shape.

In the silence let me listen

and hear the truth you have put into me;

trust the love you have for me

which you call me to live out

with all my sisters and brothers in your human family.

Ted Loder