Holyhead, Anglesey

The clue is in the name! Holyhead, holy head. This town was such a key place in Celtic Christian times as Irish monks came over with the gospel. It is the nearest stopping point to the Irish mainland and was a major route through from Ireland to England and then the continent. We knew that St Cybi had founded a community here in the 540AD  and it was a very important one, so wanted to visit the church which has been a place of worship for over 1500 years. It is unusually situated having been built within the abandoned 4th century Roman Fort walls and totally enclosed by them. This gave the monastic community protection from Irish sea raiders. It would have contained a simple timber church, monk's cells, some agricultural land, a religious school and possibly scriptorium, plus accommodation for pilgrims. This type of community was typical of Celtic Christianity and we see examples in Ireland at Clon Macnoise and Glendalough. 

Within the same walled enclosure as the main church is a smaller 14th century chapel thought to have been built on the earlier shrine or burial place of Cybi. The Welsh name means 'Church of the grave'. Unfortunately it was closed for renovations when we visited.

St Cybi was a travelling missionary, traditionally said to have been born in Cornwall, educated in Ireland before founding churches across Wales. Medieval Welsh stories portray him as a friend of St Seiriol who lived in the SE of Anglesey. They would meet together to pray in the centre. He was a holy teacher, worker of miracles and adviser to Welsh rulers. Some legends refer to him as healing the sick and taming wild animals, common themes attributed to Celtic Christians.

I was very excited when we arrived in the carpark right by the church. I sensed this was somewhere important, however we were disappointed to find the church closed but also a very strange spiritual atmosphere. It felt quite hostile and even as we entered the main street on foot I was alert. We could feel the spiritual darkness. It was a complete opposite of what I'd felt in the car on arrival. 

As the church wasn't going to open for another few hours, we decided to visit nearby natural landscapes which the monks would have been familiar with and probably prayed at. Holyhead is right on the sea but surrounded by hills, especially Holyhead Mountain, Mynydd Twr. This translates as Mountain of the Tower.  The Romans had a watchtower or signal station on the summit. It is also associated with St Cybi.  Nowadays there is a country park and spectacular scenery still. People flock here to watch wildlife and sealife, especially at South Stack. It was good to visit because it highlighted how this landscape would have drawn Celtic monks and mystics who were drawn to wild places, remote and isolated spots which feel like 'the edge of the world' and where it was thought it is easier to meet with God.  Certainly looking out from here it does feel like the edge of the world. the views are amazing. 

We returned later to the church to find it open with some very welcoming guides. We found a place to pray by an enormous monument to a local man. It had huge marble angels covering the prostrate form. Nevertheless we settled to pray in the nearby pews as it was quite private. 

We'd been told a story about St Cybi that was quite disrespectful and my spirit had been troubled, so I wasn't surprised when the Holy Spirit started talking to me about this when I was praying. 

'He was a true devotee of mine. I placed a rod of steel within hm so that he would obey my command to 'go' and to spread my word.  People love to slander his character but he is a cherished son of mine, beloved by me and living in his home in eternity with me. His courage enabled him to face dragons of evil, to overcome strategies of the enemy, to counter demonic forces and establish a rod in the ground declaring the righteous kingdom of Go. He is cherished by me and rightly so.'

As I continued to pray a deep sense of peace and rest settled over me (and my husband experienced the same). I went into a deep meditative state with the Holy Spirit and was completely unaware of even being in the church.

God continued speaking:

'Come, come just as you are. I bar no-one from my presence. All are invited to come. Some hear my whisper and run to my arms. Others reply in the buffeting storm, desperation driving them homeward. Whilst there are those whose ears are deafened, however quietly or loudly I call their names, with longing, with pleading, with loving entreaty. They harden their hearts with hands to their ears and walk away. I watch with breaking heart and tears of love pouring, for my lost children who choose never to come home to my heart. I grieve for what might have been.'

It is hard to hear and feel God's heart at times, especially when the pain is great and he entrusts us to share it. Yet it is a privilege too and we keep interceding, longing for people to know him. 

I continue resting in his presence and then go into a vision.

Inside your heart

I sense a door is open

for me to step

inside your heart.

Red beating flesh

pulsating with longing

emotions deeper than the deepest sea

throb in anticipation

of a child, just one child

running to the heart of God

united with Love

for eternity as one.

I hear my name

'Kathy'

Softly spoken on your breath

Kathy (You stand arms open wide)

I run, I leap into your embrace

I am home

Home in the heart of love

You have been waiting

and I have come

In the vision I step inside the soft walls of his embrace and they enfold me with love, so gentle it is like fine gossamer silk.

Divine unity

Divine safety

Divine purpose

Safe in the heart of the living God.

So after a disappointing start to our visit, this ended up being one of the most profound of our pilgrimage, for both of us. Definitely worth a visit to pray!