How the Welsh Saved Civilisation

[@Chrisc-sn6uh]

I think it’s very fitting in Christianity that a place of such importance and so holy should be a humble little village in wales. Thank you for this video Father, this place will definitely be going on the list when i do a pilgrimage around wales!

[@orthodoxexchange]

Perfect comment! Thank you for making it. I hope you are able to get there eventually. God bless you.

[@ieuanthebeardedbard]

I highly recommend visiting Nevern if you have a chance to as well! One of the earliest surviving churches in Britain & lots of early Christian history to explore throughout the village 😁🙏

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@ieuanthebeardedbard thank you for the ‘heads-up’!

[@silvanaturalis]

There are numerous families of belivers in Jesus who have been drawn to Llantwit Major by God's prompting, I know this beacause my wifes parents live there for that reason (not of the Orthodox tradition, but having a deep life transforming faith). I was happy to 'stumble accross' this video and will share this with them. Thank you!

[@orthodoxexchange]

Thank you. I hope they find it interesting!

[@davidbarrett590]

A superb video, Father. In some ways, Llantwit Major is a very humble little Welsh village but it also has an ambience of profound spirituality. I did not know about its history until seeing this video but I am not surprised at all..........More generally, I loved your comment about Christianity being a religion of 'places'. It is not exactly a popular sentiment in contemporary, Western, Christianity but it has certainly been my experience.

[@Jeem196]

I love this series. God bless

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@Jeem196 thank you deeply!

[@Sir_Musy]

Hello Jeem from Wales ☦️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤍❤️💚

[@johnbeckett51]

The programs that you present are very informative for me very interesting. Keep doing these type of programs. Thank you.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@johnbeckett51 Thank you for the encouragement!

[@leannewheeler5351]

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@leannewheeler5351 thank for watching! It is much appreciated, and your comment very encouraging.

[@petrovonoccymro9063]

Thankyou (again) Father for yet another wonderful video about a neglected part of British history, delivered in your trademark erudite style.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@petrovonoccymro9063 many thanks for this kind comment!

[@jarrahdrum]

excellent, thank you, subscribed

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@jarrahdrum thank you!

[@jamestregler1584]

Thanks ever so much Father, from old New Orleans 😇

[@rolexmongerthethird]

In the year 500ad, the britons(welsh) were the last christians left in northwest europe. They were surrounded by pagans fighting them on all fronts. To their east were the saxon, angle and jute invaders, to their far north were the fierce pictish tribes, to the south, the gallic peoples were defeated by the pagan franks cutting the welsh (britons) off from rome, and to the east were gael (irish) pagans. It is testament to this holy place surrounded on all sides by fierce non believers that the Welsh (britons) were able to hold onto christianity and build upon it and propogate it. Truly amazing. Great video.

[@joshevans4322]

My son was chrismated last year on Saint Beuno's feast day. I would very much like to get him an icon of him. And this wonderful Holy place has been added to our list of places to visit in Wales. God bless Fr☦

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@joshevans4322 wonderful! And thank you…

[@grahamdeamer128]

Well said. It was the Welsh (properly the Romano-Britons) who passed on the torch. With the collapse of imperial authority in Britain in the 5th century the invading English swept away the Christian church and the idea of Romanitas in the East of the Island whereas in the West the invading Irish enthusiastically adopted Christianity and picked up the torch. The story of this conversion is poorly documented, poorly understood and not fully appreciated but I think that it could be fairly stated that it began two or three generations before Illtyd's time. Alas, history is written by the winners and the British church lost out to Rome and its Saints and histories were neglected. Pleased to see you attempting to redress matters.

[@TheMOV13]

I started reading about the Britsih Saints recently following the four volume book set by Dr. Hutchinson-Hall. The Saints mostly come from Ireland and Wales, there are English Saints, of course, but in the clear minority.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

There’s lots of English saints: 174 of them.

[@annestjohn4017]

Diolch yn fawr - illuminating

[@orthodoxexchange]

You're very welcome. I'm glad you thought so!

[@georgebashour4333]

Amazing videos. All prayer from Syria ☦️

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@georgebashour4333 thank you!

[@Jez-explores-outdoors]

I enjoyed this been in the faith for two years now would love to learn more

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@Jez-explores-outdoors Thank you! Feel free to get in touch via orthodoxexchange.net

[@nigelsheppard625]

St Helen, who is mentioned in the New Testament as a woman living in Rome and that was in contact with St Paul, actually founded the church in Llanilltyd Fawr circa 80AD. She was the daughter of King Karatakos (Caradog/Caractus). Okay, this is legend, but there is a biography that has some substance to it.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@nigelsheppard625 yes indeed. I have had to do some serious containment of many of these stories, as almost all of them so far could have included more names than I could possible cover in a few minutes. I will try to make this clear - either in a future, dedicated, video, or across the other videos I have planned. The whole historical picture I am trying to present really is a wonderful, if sometimes complex, tapestry!

[@truthfulremedy_aka_lennybee]

Have you looked at the late Ross Broadstock's work from Britains Hidden History? He done quite a bit of research into "Celtic Christianity" if you want to broadly give it that term... be interesting to hear your thoughts if you are aware of his research. Great series though Father!

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@truthfulremedy_aka_lennybee thanks for the heads up. I will check out his work and let you know!

[@adventureinallthings]

Very interesting, I'm Irish and I know well the Cahill ideaxof how the Irish Celtic Church saved civilization but yes the roots of the Irish Celtic church do lie in western Britain, one point I would make it that the Irish church developed in a very unique way precisely because Ireland had never been part of the Roman empire in during the fall of the empire when knowing and learning were diminishing in Europe and great Britain Ireland was running against that trend in the other direction. It was the first fully European pagan culture to adopt Christianity post the Roman empire and within a hundred years of the death of St Patrick was developing a new Christian culture that probably took that pagan energy and created something not seen before. Yes Wales and perhaps other parts of western Britain ( St Patrick was not the only missionary to us ) provided the spark and definitely fanned those early flames but when the fire found it's unique fuel it developed in a very original way here before crossing again in the other direction to repay the favour. Great Britain itself was missionary territory for the Irish church not so long after it had received that spark. But I'd love to visit that church and give thanks. 🙏

[@Tyler.i.81]

We need orthoxy so bad here in the UK go back to the early church roots.

[@andrewwhelan7311]

When Augustine came to Britain, the old established elders of the religion refused to bend the knee, as their faith was not centered on wealth social control and power. He promptly encouraged the Saxons to kill as many of the indigenous holymen ss they could. It is interesting that the old school books from Wales taught the original history of this island up until 100 years ago. The curriculum was promptly air brushed thereafter. In the same year the new history was introduced, it is notable that the new stained glass windows at Llandaff Cathedral depicted the old stories, perhaps in an attempt to make sure the original history of the Cymry was not lost. The dark age of the Cymry was the age of saints and literature, when the rest of Europe was in chaos. Sadly, much of the hidden, airbrushed and once accepted history of the Britons was successfully deleted, for political reasons by the incoming aristocratic classes who had no credible claim to this island. A Germanic master race narrative was established and the native Briton's were denounced as,'lesser breeds ' - see Bishop Stubbs in his attempt to scale the greasey pole of power and wealth. The people who were to become the English have also had their history deleted, as many of their ancestors have been living in the island as long as the Welsh. Thanks for your non biased and credible account of this history. Heddwch / Pease.

[@tcrown3333]

Heddwch i chi!👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@jackieroberts7895]

Cymru am byth ❤

[@eifionwynwilliams-iffy1288]

The timeline goes back further than the 6th century as shown on the church plaque. It seems our earliest apostolic traditions including the foundation of the first church of Christ in South Wales has been expunged by the church, just as the tradition of Joseph of Arimathea visiting Britain has been deleted by them. The traditions that Augustine found in Britain were very much alive when he arrived: “The Britons preferred their own traditions before all the churches in the world”. Christianity was established here in Britain shortly after the crucifixion, the world’s first Christian church being built in St. Illtyd in South Wales, and our history and our ancient manuscripts proves all this. Consistent with the known 'great conversion’ from Pagan Druidism to Christianity was the early introduction of the Gospel, ‘the way of God’ as it was called. It was known as this by some of the disciples who were scattered everywhere at the death of Stephen, being invited hither by Bran the father of Caradoc/Caratacus. He along with other eminent British Druids had been converted at Rome under Paul's preaching. It is recorded that Caradoc brought back with him as teachers three Israelite Christians; Illtyd, Cyndaf, and Arwystli (the Welsh for Aristobulus), to whose friends or household Paul sends salutation (Rom. xvi. 10). Gildas, however, gives the introduction of Christianity to Britain before the defeat of Boadicea in AD 61. www.linkedin.com/pulse/lost-tribe-israel-its-religion-eifion-wyn-williams/?trackingId=RtGn4h%2F9ShmTzCyjDM2rHA%3D%3D

[@IronCurtainTwitcher]

would St David have known St Patrick?

[@chrisw3288]

Ireland was the stronghold of Orthodox Christianity which was linked to Wales as part of Celtic culture before Christianity was brought from Egypt. Have not come across mention of Cornwall where traders from Egypt would be as well? Pre Roman Cornwall was a centre of trade to the mediterranean.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@chrisw3288 I will definitely be covering Cornwall. And Ireland. But I’ve got to get through Cymru first!

[@thomasmalacky7864]

King Arthur, Orthodox slayer of pagans... ❤

[@johnrowland9570]

What was 'the faith's that was preserved? Was it church ritual or the gospel in the bible? Not far from there Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached powerfully in late 1920s until the early 30s the true gospel. We may hear him online.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@johnrowland9570 Church ritual and the Gospel have walked hand-in-hand across history. Indeed, the ritual communicates the Gospel.

[@Deborah_de_Peppy]

​@@orthodoxexchange💯🕊

[@stellifriends7785]

it should be 'how the British saved civilisation'. the church of Britain.

[@orthodoxexchange]

Yes-ish. I do try to use the word 'Welsh' interchangeably with 'British', but as I will later be distinguishing between the Brythonic and Saxon saints - the latter of whom I will sometimes call 'English' - I want to make a clear distinction between the earlier ethnically/tribally 'British' saints and their Saxon successors.

[@rosemarymccarron3887]

It was the Irish monks that saved western civilisation.

[@orthodoxexchange]

Did you watch the video?

[@chrisw3288]

Yes, Christianity came to Ireland from Egypt then to the Scottish islands, when the Roman's left England in 412 Scholars poured out of ireland to Europe founding monasteries. of course Wales received pure Christianity uncorupted by Rome- until Augustine came and settled in Canturbury Rome just would not let go and still have not! The Roman version ignored the established Orthodox Church. The final blow came in 1066. See 'The Ancient Paths' by Graham Robb.

[@morganlloyd6351]

Your best saint was Welsh

[@John405-l4d]

We the Europeans are the Israelites the chosen people of God. Repent European people and get right with God. We're suffering in our home countries because we've turned our back to God

[@zaklinakovace6792]

Agree we need repentance like thirsty man water

[@John405-l4d]

@@zaklinakovace6792 Amen

[@John405-l4d]

Europeans are the Israelites of the bible. Welsh language is very close to Hebrew language. God bless

[@nigelsheppard625]

Sorry but your wrong. I speak both Welsh and Hebrew and Arabic. There are very tertiary similarities but the Brythonic/Goidelic (Celtic) Indo - European languages have different roots to the Semetic languages.

[@John405-l4d]

@@nigelsheppard625 no you wrong. All the evidences are all there. Jews are mainly lactose intolerant guess who is lactose tolerance. Who became an multitude of nations. And more evidences but everyone believe what they want. Regards

[@veilbreak5867]

​@@nigelsheppard625I thought Welsh is closer to ancient Hebrew than modern Hebrew is

[@veilbreak5867]

@@John405-l4d yes, Europeans are the Israelites of the bible. Once that penny drops, other things make sense: For instance... why we're hated so much. Despite doing more for other people of the world than all others combined. And why we've been flooded with 3rd world migrants.... Despite not wanting it! Every British PM at least since Blair has openly been a zionist. It's them who infiltrated European politics, and opened the flood gates. Keep sharing the truth. The remnant of Jacob is waking up🙏

[@veilbreak5867]

@@John405-l4d and there wouldn't even be a bible if not for Europeans. Also, when one does an online search about 'the Europeans are the israelotes'.... All that shows up are 'debunking' videos... Calling the notion 'white supremacist, rascist, speudoscientific etc' Yet non of these slurs are used against other groups who claim the same thing. Quite the opposite in fact. In my experience, when an idea is suppressed so much by the establishment.... To the point it's almost a hate crime to even suggest it.... Then it's usually truth.

[@andrewwilliams2353]

pardon my curmudgeonness but a "good rock band" ? Surely that's a contradiction in terms ! I am an old gitte I admit but I've always loathed rock"music".

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@andrewwilliams2353 fair enough!

[@paulstarr6316]

Well said, noise hides a multitude of sins, musically & otherwise.Sound & some music is sacred & has a spiritual dimension,but my own feeling is that rock music ties in closely with cultural decline.It's taken me a long time to embrace this idea but I am committed to it.

[@O3177O]

Considering Patrick came from Brittany 😂 and Christianity was in Ireland well before Patrick arrived otherwise a great lecture

[@Kitiwake]

The Welsh didn't even save the welsh.

[@illumencouk]

No offence my friend but To 'welch' means to go back on your word, to fail to keep your end of the bargain. A turn coat. Saving no one but themselves is more likely isn't it?

[@kayew5492]

Propaganda and insults have always been a major part of politics. Some mud inevitably sticks, and some is airbrushed out/rebranded, as in the sobriquet Tory, now completely commonplace but originating from the Scots word for outlaw.

[@CLARlCEsotl]

6th Century? Christianity was in Britain in the 1st Century. Get a copy of The Drama of the Lost Disciples if you can.

[@nigelsheppard625]

It is true that the majority of Britons were Christians in the 2nd Century. They were evangelised by native Saints.

[@rolexmongerthethird]

You are not understanding the video. In the 6th century, 500ad, the britons were the last christans in northwest europe, surrounded on all sudes by fierce pagan tribes (saxons, picts, franks, gaels) if it wasnt for the britons during fhis period (literature and civilisation, as we know it) could have been extinguished in northern europe in a tidal wave of pagan agression. He is not talking about how christianity started in briton.