Saints in Scottish Place-Names

Constantine son of Paternus of the Aberdeen Breviary

Introduction

This Constantine son of Paternus is known only from the Aberdeen Breviary. He is a composite figure whose story contains elements from traditions relating to several other Constantines, some more holy than others. The closest match is with the Constantine of Rahan described in Mart O notes in RB512. Both are British and both forsake their kingdoms to be employed in manual labour in a monastery in Ireland. Residence in a monastery is also found in the profile of Constantine son of Aed (St Andrews), and martyrdom is shared with Constantine son of Cinaed. Constantine son of Paternus is said to have been martyred in Kintyre – surely a reflection of the dedication there to St Constantine at Kilchousland. Constantine son of Áed had an indirect link with Kintyre in that his father is claimed, in some stanzas in AU, to have come from there: AU 878.3 Aed a crichaib Cinn Tire, ‘Aed from the lands of Cenn Tíre’. The Constantine of the Aberdeen Breviary is linked both to Columb Cille (as many saints are) and Kentigern (cf Constantine son of Rhydderch Hael).

Gender

Male

Obituary

Obiit autem circa annos Domini quingentos septuaginta sex. ‘He died around 576.’ (Brev. Ab.)

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Constantine (ns)

Same as Constantine of the Britons (possible)

Feast days

Day of Year

Dec 22

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by David Chambers

Quote from source

Sanctus Constantinus Rex, huius nominis tertius, humanae vitae odio inflammatus regno se abdicauit, vitamque suam Deo in Coenobio D. Andreae consecrauit, in quo postea gloriosam mortem confecit.

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis

Quote from source

Costantini Regis & mart

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Kalendarium de Arbuthnott

Quote from source

Constantini Regis & maris

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen

Quote from source

In Scotia natalis Sancti Constantini Regis et martyris de quo ecclesia de Gowan Kenneil et Dunnechtyn: qui aureo dyademate relicto spretis vndique huius lacrimabilis vallis vanis oblectamentis de terreno rege celestis regis volens esse sectator et nuncius barbarice gentis non veritus feritatem exosa ieiuniis membra apud Kentyr Christum confitendo glorioso obtulit martyrio vt eterno frueretur

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Calendar of Adam King

Quote from source

Constantin king of Scotland was Monke and mart. vnder king Eugenius 3.

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by David Chambers

Quote from source

Sanctus Constantinus Martyr & Scotorum Rex secundus hoc nomine.

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by Thomas Dempster

Quote from source

Ad S. Andreae Constantini III. Regis, qui monasticae quieti sceptrum postposuit. K. [K = Adam King]

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Scottish Kalendar

Quote from source

Const. 3. King

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Fowlis Easter Breviary, NLS MS 21247

Quote from source

S' Constantini regis et martiris

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

‘Dean Brown’s Book of Hours’

Quote from source

Constantini regis et martiris

Day of Year

March 11

Calendar

Glenorchy Psalter, BL Egerton 2899

Quote from source

S Constnatine reg

Saint in place-names

Names