History and Culture
St. Ninian and the Christianization of Scotland
Much of the Western world is in need of a “re-Christianization” after decades of gradual secularism and indifferent attitudes towards faith. St. Ninian, the Enlightener of Scotland, points the way and gives us hope that the tide can turn once more.
According to Scotland’s 2022 census, the prevailing religious attitude in the country is that of no religion at all. To be precise, 51% of respondents report “no religion,” while 20.4% identify with the Church of Scotland, and 13.3% identify with the Roman Catholic Church.
For those curious, there are nearly 14,000 Orthodox Christians in Scotland, with sources estimating anywhere from eight to 11 active parishes in the country. This accounts for less than 1% of Scotland’s population of roughly 5.4 million people – a statistic that is even lower than Orthodoxy’s estimated presence in the United States.
These developments are unfortunate, and not unique to Scotland. We know that several saints of the early Church labored in these regions, bringing awareness of the saving actions of Jesus Christ to “the people who walked in darkness” (Is. 9:2).
As we mourn the de-Christianization of Western Europe (and the Western world more broadly), we must look with hope to our cloud of witnesses, asking the intercessions of those who faced the difficult task of evangelization in their earthly lives and who received crowns in heaven for their labors. In regards to Scotland, St. Ninian served as Enlightener, Father, and Chief Shepherd. He is commemorated on September 16 in the Orthodox Church.
Born in Britain in 360, St. Ninian arrived to Christian parents at a time when paganism was still strong there. He spent several years in Rome, where he underwent intensive Christian studies before his ordination to the priesthood and, eventually, the episcopacy. Later on, Ninian and his monks would preach the Gospel in southern Scotland.
