Baithen

Baithen a name of many forms, and frequent occurrence in Irish hagiologies. SEE BAEDAN. Several appear as mere names, or with a simple designation; but others have a history, more or less distinct, such as

(1.) Son OF ALLA, of Cluain-de-an, in Down, commemorated Oct. 6, is believed to have flourished at the close of the 6th century, as he is mentioned in company with three other Baithens, who were connected with St. Columba, or lived about the same time. He is perhaps the Baithen commemorated at Tech-Baithin, in Arteach. See Colgan, Acta SS. p. 369; Lanigan, Eccles. Hist. Ire. ii, 413.

(2.) Baitan (or Boetan) OF CLUAIN-AN-DOBHAIR, situated in the present King's County. Aengus and Marianus, in the Festologies, commemorate him Dec. 1. Little is known of him; the Mart. Doneg. (p. 335) identifying him with Mobaoi (Dec. 13) of Cluain-fionnabhair, while Colgan (Acta SS. p. 598, c.3, App.) mentions "Beodan, who is also Mobecus, son of Sinell, etc., abbot of Cluain-dobhair (Dec. 13)."

(3.) Boetan (or Baotan), abbot OF CLUAIN-MICNOIS (A.D. 663, March 1), was descended from an ancient Connaught family, and succeeded Aedlugh, 651, as abbot of Clonmacnoise, now called also "The Seven Churches."

(4.) Son OF CUANA. and given in Mart. Doneg. as bishop of Teach- Baoithin. Both Colgan (Acta SS. p. 370) and Lanigan (Eccles. Hist. Ire. p.413) assign him to Tech-Baithin, Westmeath; Feb. 19. He flourished about 640, as he was a disciple of Columba, and a contemporary of St. Mochcemocus, who died March 13, 655. He was revered in many churches named after him, Tech-Baithin, "house of Baithen," and is identified with the bishop Baitanus, addressed, among others, in the letter on the proper time of Easter and on the Pelagian heresy by pope John IV, A.D. 640. See Colgan, Acta SS. p. 17; Belde, Hist. Eccl. ii, 19; Lanigan, Eccles. Hist. Ire. ii, 413.

(5.) Son OF FINNACH, commemorated May 22, was the son of Conall Clarnach, and had his church at Inisbaithin, now "within the townland of Inishboheen (or Inishboyne), parish of Dunganstown, barony of Arklow, County Wicklow." Colgan thinks he was a disciple of St. Ciaran (q.v.), and thus to have flourished about A.D. 550. The exact date of his death is unknown. See O'Donovan, Four Masters, 1, 374.

(6.) Abbot OF IONA, June 9, was the son of Brendan, pupil. cousin, and successor of St. Columba at Iona. He was one of the twelve companions of St. Columba who came with him from Ireland, and was closely associated with that saint till his death. He is also known as Comin; and of him was related the curious story of three empty chairs being shown to him in heaven, for St. Ciaran, St. Columba, and himself. He ruled four years in Iona after Columba's death, and died June 6, 600. "His principal church was Teach-Baithaein, now Taughboyne, barony of Raphoe, County Donegal." See O'Curry, Lect. on Manners and Cust. Anc. Ire.; Bolland, Acta.SS. (Jun.) 2, 235.

(7.) Son of Maonan OF LANNLEIRE (June 18). Mart. Tallaght gives "Farodain ocus Baithin," and Mart. Doneg. has also this saint along with his brother Furadhran, abbot of Lannliere, now the old church of Lyn, County Westmeath. See O'Donovan, Four Masters, 1, 342.

(8.) Baetan OF MONU (March 23) was, according to Colgan (Acta SS. p. 728), abbot of Kilboedain, son of Eugenius, and one of the six brothers of St. Corbmac. He followed his elder brothers, Corbmac and Diermit, into the scene of their missionary labors in the north of Ireland. Afterwards he took tup his abode and built his church at Kilboedain, under the patronage of the three noble families of Cinel-Decil, Clann-Scoba, and Silmiridhin. He, perhaps, returned to his native province of Munster, and died abbot of Moin. He is supposed to have lived about the beginning of the 6th century. See Colgan, Acta SS. p. 728; Kelly, Cal. Ir. Saints, p. 103.

(9.) Baithonus, Bathanus, or Bothanus, a ScotchIrish bishop (Dec. 25, 639), and especially connected with SHETLAND and THULE. The register of the priory of St. Andrews, giving the taxation of the churches in the archdeaconry of the Lothians, assigns one mark to the "Ecclesia St. Boythani." The parish of Gifford, or Yester, in East Lothian, was anciently called St. Bothans, and that of Bowden is also supposed to take its name from this saint. It is, however, difficult to identify him with certainty.