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Saint Acca

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Saint Acca

Birth
Hexham, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England
Death
20 Oct 740 (aged 79–80)
Hexham, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England
Burial
Hexham, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Bishop of Hexham 709 - 732 AD.Saint Acca

Memorial
20 October; formerly 19 October; 19 February (translation of relics)
Profile
Grew up in the household of Saint Bosa of York, and became his spiritual student, aide, and travelling companion. Benedictine. Close friend of and chaplain to Saint Wilfrid, and accompanied him on trips to the continent. Friend of the Venerable Bede, who dedicated some of his writings to Acca. Abbot of Saint Andrews at Hexham in 709, nominated by Saint Wilfrid just before that holy man died. Bishop of Hexham.

Built churches, and re-outfitted the principal church at Hexham. Had a beautiful singing voice, and encouraged the revival of vocal music in British liturgy. First English prelate to appeal to Vatican in a dispute. Believed the Church in England needed to be more like Rome in liturigical form. Bible scholar with a large theological library who supplied information for Bede's Ecclesiastical History.

Political intrigues led to king Ceolwulf of Northumbria being kidnapped in 731, and forced to enter a monastery. Ceolwulf's supporters later restored him to the throne, and Acca was exiled, which probably indicates his involvement in the coup. Some records imply that he fled west, and was appointed bishop of Whithorn.
Born
c.660 in Northumbria, England
Died
20 October 742 at Whithorn, Galloway, Scotland of natural causes; buried beside the east wall of Hexham Cathedral between two huge stone crosses decorated with vines and tendrils, which survive to today and can be seen in the abbey church; relics translated in the late 10th century, in 1154, and in 1240
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
learning
Representation
abbot in a library with monks; bishop in a library; with the Venerable Bede
Bishop of Hexham 709 - 732 AD.Saint Acca

Memorial
20 October; formerly 19 October; 19 February (translation of relics)
Profile
Grew up in the household of Saint Bosa of York, and became his spiritual student, aide, and travelling companion. Benedictine. Close friend of and chaplain to Saint Wilfrid, and accompanied him on trips to the continent. Friend of the Venerable Bede, who dedicated some of his writings to Acca. Abbot of Saint Andrews at Hexham in 709, nominated by Saint Wilfrid just before that holy man died. Bishop of Hexham.

Built churches, and re-outfitted the principal church at Hexham. Had a beautiful singing voice, and encouraged the revival of vocal music in British liturgy. First English prelate to appeal to Vatican in a dispute. Believed the Church in England needed to be more like Rome in liturigical form. Bible scholar with a large theological library who supplied information for Bede's Ecclesiastical History.

Political intrigues led to king Ceolwulf of Northumbria being kidnapped in 731, and forced to enter a monastery. Ceolwulf's supporters later restored him to the throne, and Acca was exiled, which probably indicates his involvement in the coup. Some records imply that he fled west, and was appointed bishop of Whithorn.
Born
c.660 in Northumbria, England
Died
20 October 742 at Whithorn, Galloway, Scotland of natural causes; buried beside the east wall of Hexham Cathedral between two huge stone crosses decorated with vines and tendrils, which survive to today and can be seen in the abbey church; relics translated in the late 10th century, in 1154, and in 1240
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
learning
Representation
abbot in a library with monks; bishop in a library; with the Venerable Bede

Bio by: AradiaB


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  • Created by: AradiaB
  • Added: Nov 13, 2011
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/80363204/acca: accessed ), memorial page for Saint Acca (660–20 Oct 740), Find a Grave Memorial ID 80363204, citing Hexham Abbey, Hexham, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England; Maintained by AradiaB (contributor 47631932).