Wales, Brittany, and Dragons

Part 5 of the 'Ancient Faith of Britain: Orthodoxy in the Isles' series, in this episode, we visit Dol-de-Bretagne in France, and learn about the incredible links between St Samson of Dol, St Teilo of Llandaff, and King Arthur. We also encounter a dragon.
Come and see where St Samson, who was originally from South Wales, ended up, and where his friend St Teilo defeated a problematic dragon. And as a bonus, come a see an ancient menhir with me - one that Obelix himself might have set in place.
Who knew that Orthodoxy, King Arthur, and a character from the Asterix comics could appear all in one place? Yet here we are: the second video in which they do!
Join me, Fr Jacob Siemens, Orthodox priest serving the Parish of St Theodore and St Teilo in Cardiff, Wales, as I take you on a journey across Britain - and Wales in particular - to learn more about how the Orthodox Christian Faith arrived here, about how it spread, and about some of its wonderful and inspiring saints.
Previous episodes can be found here:
Introduction to the Series:
• The Ancient Faith of B...
The Holy Grail, Glastonbury, and other Foundation Stories
• The Meaning of the Gra...
The Patron Saint of Cardiff:
• The Patron Saint of Ca...
Roman Britain: Christianity in Caerleon
• Roman Britain: Christi...
Real Celtic Christianity: Early Orthodoxy in Wales
• Real Celtic Christiani...
Meanwhile, if you enjoy this work and wish to support it, you might consider joining my Patreon community at / priestjacob
Thank you for watching!
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#ancientfaith #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #orthodoxchristian #kingarthur #cardiff #wales #historyofwales #historyofbrittany #breton #welshhistory #christianbelief #christianity #celtichistory #saint #medieval #christianchurch #islam

[@DeiniolJones-ge6ov]

In the early 1990s, I went with my Welsh speaking grandfather to Brittany and he was able to talk to the locals in a common tongue.

[@Maverick1.]

thats very cool

[@jamestregler1584]

Thanks again Father from old New Orleans 😇

[@Chrisc-sn6uh]

Thank you Father, this series has truly been a blessing.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@Chrisc-sn6uh thank you for your kind words!

[@megw7312]

As recently as 1925, Spurrell’s dictionary correctly translated the Welsh word ‘dragon’ to English as ‘war leader’. The English word ‘dragon’ translates to Welsh as ‘ddraig’. A Pendragon was, therefore, a top general or perhaps the modern ‘Supreme Commander’.

[@shaunmulligan8717]

For those intrigued by the T-shirt worn by Fr Jacob, the words read as follows “Lothlórien Bakery / Lembas, elvish waybread”. Fr Jacob is clearly an aficionado of the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien. Interestingly, the displayed word “Lothlórien” is partially written in the Gaelic script (cló Gaelach). As for the word “Lothlórien”, the etymology is best left to the Elves. When walking in the wilds, I am captivated by the passage of water under stone bridges.

[@orthodoxexchange]

Well spotted, sir! Thank you for pointing it out.

[@mattfallguy]

I loved the way you lowered your voice to speak in the Cathedral, almost to a whisper, but it was perfect. I think the font had 8 sides, but only 4 on the inside. And that squeaky door! I want to go there with my WD40! Brilliant well done.

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@mattfallguy thank you! Very encouraging.

[@elainehazel4854]

Im really enjoying this series of videos thank you

[@orthodoxexchange]

Thank you!

[@adrianthomas1473]

It’s great that we can trace our Christian roots back to these first Celtic Christians. My first Christian memory is being in my grandmother’s parish church in Porthcawl.

[@johnbeckett51]

It is very interesting the history you portray, thank you

[@stephanegarnot]

I'm an orthodox christian in western Brittany and I really enjoyed this video. We have several parishes here. One of our priests, who teaches history in breton in a bilingual school, would certainly like to speak with you.

[@orthodoxexchange]

Thank you! What jurisdiction is this priest? Either way, tell him I would be pleased to hear from him.

[@stephanegarnot]

@@orthodoxexchange He's from Moscow Patriarchy. I send him the link of your video.

[@stephanegarnot]

@@orthodoxexchange I've just learned he will be on TV on 1st september, in a christian program. The title is "Being orthodox in Brittany". Unfortunately, it will be in french only. Here is the teaser: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5fSi2WKidqaeM0 program

[@orthodoxexchange]

@@stephanegarnot merci pour ça. Je parle Français, alors la langue ne sera pas un problème.

[@dafydd1722]

Diolch Tâd Jacob am y fideo. Thank you for the video Father, I'm really enjoying this series. You mentioned in the comments of previous videos other things you will explore. Will you explore the late 4th and early 5th century Welsh monk Pelagius who led Britain to fall to heresy and whose heresy spread down the Western Seaboard through Brittany, Gaul, Hispania and North Africa and even through southern Italy and Jerusalem? He tried to convince the Pope and the patriarchy of Jerusalem that his teachings were Orthodox teachings and this led him into conflict with St. Augustine of Hippo who summoned the bishops of Europe and Asia to Africa at the the Ecumenical Council of Carthage in 419 where he and his teachings were declared heresy. This heresy of Pelagius led to the Age of Saints in Wales /Britain as St. Dupricius, bishop in West Wales called the leaders of the church to a Synod to restore orthodoxy of church teaching. St. David attended this synod and spoke. St. Dupricius was so moved by his speaking that he stepped down and made St. David head of the British Church. St. David led this new age of evangalisation and as such is recognised by all the patriarchs for restoring the Catholcity and Orthodox of British Christianity. And many of his follows and contemparies became recognised as saints. St. Arsenios of Paros said, "The Church in the British Isles will only begin to grow when she begins again to recognise her own Saints." The Welsh/British Church played a massive role in the Universal Churches history that is largely forgotten today. As one of the first places in the West that the Church grew (from the 1st . Her role in corrupting the orthodoxy of the Universal Church (4th century) and the restoration of Orthodoxy in the Age of the Saints (6th and 7th century). You are doing a great job and teaching about our saints and martyrs. God bless you and your ministry Tâd Jacob. Saints and martyrs of Wales and Britain, pray for Fr. Jacob /I\

[@orthodoxexchange]

Many sincere thanks for this. I promise you that Pelagius will emerge in at least one video!

[@andrewwhelan7311]

Many indigenous prominent Britons fled to Britony when the Saxon hordes took over. An interesting story is that much later, when the Norman French wanted to invade Britain, they employed the boat builders of Britainy to supply and navigate the invasion fleet to take the island. They knew that the ancestors of the original displacement would reliish the opportunity to take back their ancient homeland and religion. Whilst Saxon England fell in the blink of an eyelid, the Norman French had to marry into the old Christian native royal lineages to lay legitimate claim to the island.

[@TywysogCraig]

Fideo gwych, edrychaf ymlaen at ymweld â Dol gyda fy nhywysog bach Teilo. Y gwir yn erbyn y byd. Heddwch â bendithion 🕊️

[@orthodoxexchange]

Many thanks. You really must visit!

[@orthodoxexchange]

And thank you for writing in Welsh. We need more of it. I am sorry I cannot yet respond in kind.