St Nidan
| Nidan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6th century |
| Died | 7th century (possibly 610) |
| Venerated in | Church in Wales, Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Relics reputedly at St Nidan's Church, Llanidan |
| Feast | 30 September (Wales) 3 November (Scotland) |
| Patronage | In Wales: two churches in Anglesey In Scotland: one church in Aberdeenshire |
Nidan (sometimes known as Midan or Idan) was a Welsh priest and, according to some sources, a bishop, in the 6th and 7th centuries. He is now commemorated as a saint. He was the confessor for the monastery headed by St Seiriol at Penmon, and established a church at what is now known as Llanidan, which are both places on the Welsh island of Anglesey. He is the patron saint of two churches in Anglesey: St Nidan's Church, Llanidan, built in the 19th century, and its medieval predecessor, the Old Church of St Nidan, Llanidan. Midmar Old Kirk in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is also dedicated to him: Nidan is said to have helped to establish Christianity in that area as a companion of St Kentigern. St Nidan's, Llanidan, has a reliquary dating from the 14th or 16th century, which is said to house his relics.
Little is known in detail about Nidan's life, and his year and place of birth are unknown. He is sometimes referred to as "Midan" or "Idan". According to manuscript sources, such as Peniarth MS 45 (which has been dated to the 14th century) in the National Library of Wales, he was the son of Gwrfyw ab Pasgen ab Urien Rheged. He was a descendant of Urien Rheged, as was Saint Grwst of Llanrwst, a town on the north Wales mainland in present-day Conwy County Borough. Urien was a "celebrated warrior" from the late 5th century, whose deeds were commemorated by the Welsh poet Taliesin.
Nidan was associated with St Seiriol's monastery at Penmon, on the eastern tip of Anglesey in north Wales, and was the monastery's confessor. He is also referred to as a bishop in one source. He founded a church in what is now known as Llanidan, also on Anglesey, near to the Menai Straits. According to tradition, this was established in 616. He is reported to have lived at Cadair Idan, near the church, and a well about 200 yards (180 m) away from the church is reputed to be his holy well.
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