Willibrord
(658-Nov. 7, 739). He was born in Northumbria, England. He was educated in the monastery at Ripon, where he became a monk. After study in Ireland, he decided he wanted to become a missionary. In 690 he and eleven companions crossed the English Channel to Frisia (Holland). He was consecrated Bishop on Nov. 22, 695. King Pepin III of France designated Utrecht (Wiltaburg) as his seat. Willibrord established a monastery at Echternach in Luxembourg. He was so successful in his missionary work that he is known as the “Apostle of Frisia.” His work is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Nov. 7.
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.