Orthodox Saints of Wales

by Oswin Craton

When St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize England in AD 595, Christianity was already long established in what is now Wales. Since the gospel may have reached this region as early as the late first century, Wales boasts innumerable Christian saints from that Orthodox/Celtic period of history. Even today the names of these saints dot the landscape of Wales, but while their names may be known, their lives and deeds have largely been forgotten. This small volume helps revitalize interest in and veneration of a number of these Orthodox holy ones, focusing primarily on those who make up what is called the “Golden Age of Saints” in Wales (the fifth through seventh centuries).

Genres: History

130 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a nice little book about various saints based on the century they lived. Would be very useful as part of one's daily readings.

[Charlie Stayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orthodox Saints of Wales by Oswin Craton
Oswin Craton’s Orthodox Saints of Wales is a radiant gem in the world of spiritual literature—an inspiring tapestry of holy lives, Celtic landscapes, and timeless wisdom that uplifts the soul and deepens the heart’s yearning for holiness.

From the very first page, Craton brings to life the rugged beauty and spiritual vibrance of ancient Wales. Each saint’s story—whether it be the humility of St. Illtud, the courage of St. David, or the gentle strength of St. Non—is told with reverence, clarity, and just the right touch of wonder. These are not dry biographies but windows into a sacred world where miracles walk hand-in-hand with human frailty, and sanctity rises from the hills and hearths of Welsh soil.

What makes this book particularly exciting is how it connects the Celtic Christian heritage with the broader Orthodox tradition. Craton’s work is both scholarly and devotional, weaving historical insights with spiritual reflection in a way that makes the saints feel close and relevant to today’s reader. The book doesn’t just inform—it kindles faith.

Whether you’re a history lover, a pilgrim of the spirit, or someone seeking deeper roots in the Christian tradition, Orthodox Saints of Wales is a treasure. It sings with hope, courage, and the quiet power of holiness that can still shape our lives today. Read it, and let your heart be lifted by the cloud of witnesses who once walked the green hills of Cymru with God.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Oswin Craton’s first work on Holy Fools, I didn’t hesitate to check out this more recent compilation of saints’ lives. Orthodox Saints of Wales is a treasury containing the lives of forty-two saints spanning the first through the seventh centuries. It is a well-timed book, as Orthodoxy continues to grow in North America and there is a need for more accounts about the lives of the pre-schism saints of Western Europe.

Some of the entries take up one page, while others range from two to three pages in length (like the entry for St. David, the patron saint of Wales). I greatly appreciated the introduction and the author’s explanation of how he conducted his research and chose between sources.

I also appreciated learning how the monks of the British Isles — and especially the Welsh saints — were influenced by the eremitic monasticism of the Desert Fathers of Egypt. Yet they also incorporated elements of their own culture, such as the use of “holy wells.”

Each entry contains not just a well-written account of the life of a specific saint but also the date of their feast day and alternate spellings of their name. There is also a map and a pronunciation guide in the back of the book. There is enough in each entry to give the reader a sense of the saint’s life and to prompt further research if he or she would like to learn even more. Great for a spiritual book club too!

[Tammy Dressler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of reading about the lives of the Saints, and “Orthodox Saints of Wales” by Oswin Craton does not disappoint. Covering a sample of Welsh saints from the first through the seventh centuries, Craton offers insight into the beauty of the Christian faith as it flourished in Wales during the early centuries of the Church’s history.

The author readily admits that much of the early history of Christianity in Wales was lost during the English Reformation, but has researched and pieced together accounts from multiple sources in order to give us a peek into the lives of some of the early Welsh saints whose stories have been remembered and documented in one form or another.

Though the book is not written specifically to their age groups (2-12 yo) our grandchildren have enjoyed hearing the accounts read aloud. The readings, often enough, lead to discussions regarding our own lives and how we live the Christian life in our own time and culture.

I highly recommend this delightful little book—for the beautiful lives it portrays, as well as the little slices of history one gets to view in the reading.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Early Welsh Saints from first to seventh century. I enjoyed being introduced to some saints that I have never heard of before and their stories.

Some saints are only a short paragraph while others may be a couple of pages. The author explains there is little information still available regarding these saints due to numerous reasons of being destroyed by nature or man over time. Thankfully with this book the lives of these saints are being told.

Great book to add to your home library or parish library.

[Rin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely informative, although as a religious book it is naturally biased towards accepting the religion as fact. An easy read though!