Cóeti of Iona

Other names

Ceti

Introduction

There is only one reference to Coeti of Iona in the early literature: his obit. There is, however a ‘Ceti epscop’ who appears in the guarantor list of Cáin Adomnaín in 697 and it is assumed that this is the same person. It has been argued that his name might be English (Charles-Edwards 2000, 308), possibly related to the names Cedd and Ceadda. These last names were held by brothers, both bishops (of the East Saxons and the Mercians, respectively), whose careers are described by Bede (HE iii.21,23). Though Coeti, Cedd and Ceadda are certainly three distinct historical persons there can be some difficulty in disentangling their cults, especially given the apparent proximity of the feast-days of Coeti and Cedd. Cedd's day in the ninth-century Old English Martyrology is October 26th (Herzfeld 1900) while the day assigned to Coedi of Iona is usually October 24th.

Associated places

Iona

Obituary

AU 712 Coeddi episcopus Iae pausat. AT Ceode espoc Iae pausat.

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Cóeti, Mo Ched (ns) (certain)

Same as Cóeti of Donaghedy (probable)

Related Personal Names

Name

Coeti (certain)

Feast days

Day of Year

August 9

Calendar

Glenorchy Psalter, BL Egerton 2899

Source code

Glenorchy psalter

Source title

Glenorchy Psalter, BL Egerton 2899

Notes

Glenorchy psalter The Glenorchy Psalter (British Library, Egerton 2899)

Quote from source

Mocadii

Notes

This is an addition to the Calendar. He is designed a bishop. It cannot be certain that this is Coeti of Iona.

Day of Year

August 9

Calendar

Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen

Source code

Mart. Ab.

Source title

Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen

Editors

Forbes, A. P.

Secondary Title

Kalendar of Scottish Saints

Pages

125-137

Year

1872

Notes

Mart. Ab. Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen, in Forbes 1872, 125-137

Quote from source

In Scocia Mochoat confessoris

Notes

It cannot be certain that this is Coeti of Iona. Note that here he is designated a confessor.

Day of Year

August 9

Quote from source

'Machead’s day at Kirktown of Fortingale, in Athole, 9 day' [August]

Notes

It has been assumed that this fair commemorates Coedi of Iona, but this is not certain. Forbes is quoting from Leith’s True Almanack for 1707. 'Dail Mo Choid on Duneaves Farm [nr Fortingall] commemorates Coeddi or Ceti, Bishop of Iona, who died in 712. His fair, Féill Mo Choid, was held at Fortingall on the first Tuesday of August (OS) or on 20th August (NS), when lambs were sold. Another market of the same name, or an offshoot of the same market, was held at Coshieville (Cois a’ Bhile) a few miles east of Fortingall, on 9th August (OS). These fairs ceased between 1880 and 1890' (Watson 1937, xxxiv.)

Day of Year

Oct 24

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Source code

Mart.T

Source title

Martyrology of Tallaght

Editors

Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.

Year

1931

Notes

From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.

Quote from source

Coeti

Notes

It cannot be certain that this is a commemoration of Coeti of Iona. The compilers of Mart. Don. are the first to make this suggestion.

Day of Year

Oct 24

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Source code

Mart. G

Source title

Martyrology of Gorman

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1895

Notes

Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.

Quote from source

Caeti gloss: epscop

Day of Year

Oct 24

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Source code

Mart. Do.

Source title

The Martyrology of Donegal

Editors

Todd, J. H.

Year

1864

Notes

Other author to be specified.

Quote from source

Caeti, epscob

Notes

This source also includes speculation about the possible identificatin of this Coeti: ‘The Cain Adamnain states that Ceti, the bishop, was one of the saints who were security to free the women from every kind of captivity and slavery; and it is likely that it is of him he speaks.’