Saint John of Beverley
Stored in Cargo: Saint John of Beverley
| Saint John of Beverley | |
| Feast Day | May 07 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Beverley, Yorkshire, deaf people |
| Birthplace | Harpham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingdom of Northumbria (now England) |
| Death Place | Beverley, Kingdom of Northumbria (now England) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (old age) |
| Primary Shrine | Beverley Minster, Beverley, England |
Saint John of Beverley, born in the late 7th century in Harpham, Northumbria, was an 8th-century bishop whose holiness and miracles made him a revered figure in Anglo-Saxon England. Trained at Whitby Monastery under Saint Hilda, he became Bishop of Hexham (687) and later York (705), ordaining Bede and fostering monastic life. Known for healing a mute boy and protecting Beverley’s lands—later credited with English victories like Stamford Bridge (1066)—he retired to his Beverley monastery, dying on May 7, 721. His shrine became a pilgrimage hub, drawing kings like Henry V.
Canonized in 1037 by Pope Benedict IX, John’s feast day, May 7, celebrates his legacy, with Beverley Minster housing his relics until the Reformation’s destruction. Patron of Beverley, Yorkshire, and the deaf (from his miracle), his life—chronicled by Bede and Alcuin—blends pastoral care with wonder, his tomb a medieval beacon. Venerated in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox traditions, John of Beverley’s gentle authority endures as a Northumbrian saint whose miracles shielded his flock.
Biography
Birth
Saint John was born in the late 7th century in Harpham, Northumbria, to a noble Anglo-Saxon family—names unrecorded. Exact dates are lost; his birth in Yorkshire’s East Riding shaped his faith. Harpham’s rural calm framed his origin.
His early piety led to Whitby, a monk’s path begun in Northumbria’s heart.
Early Life
John’s youth saw him study at Whitby Monastery under Hilda, mastering Scripture and monastic discipline. By his 30s, he was a monk, later appointed Bishop of Hexham in 687, then York in 705, ordaining Bede and guiding clergy. He founded a monastery in Beverley, retiring there c. 718.
His early life was learning turned to leadership, a bishop’s call. John’s formative years built a saintly shepherd.
Occupation
John’s occupation was as a monk, then Bishop of Hexham (687–705) and York (705–718). He preached, ordained—like Bede in 691—and worked miracles, healing a mute boy, per Bede. Retiring to Beverley, he led his monastery until death on May 7, 721, aged likely 60–70.
His work was episcopal care, ending in monastic peace. John’s occupation was a bishop’s service to Northumbria.
Vocation
John’s vocation emerged at Whitby, a call to holiness through monasticism and Church leadership. As bishop, he fostered faith, his miracles—curing ailments—drawing pilgrims. His retirement to Beverley c. 718 reflected a monk’s heart, fulfilled at death in 721.
His vocation peaked in Beverley, a saint in repose. John’s life was a pastor’s devotion to God’s flock.
Death
Saint John met his end on May 7, 721 AD, in Beverley, dying of old age in his monastery. Peacefully passing among monks, he was buried locally, his tomb in Beverley Minster a pilgrimage site until 1541’s Reformation. His relics were lost, but his fame endured.
His death sparked devotion, his shrine a medieval draw. John’s passing closed a life of miracles and care.
Significant events
- Became Bishop of Hexham, 687.
- Appointed Bishop of York, 705.
- Retired to Beverley, c. 718.
- Died May 7, 721.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Harpham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingdom of Northumbria (now England)
Death location: Beverley, Kingdom of Northumbria (now England)
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
No “Servant of God” process in 721; John’s veneration began in Beverley post-death, tied to miracles and Bede’s account.
Venerable
No Venerable status then; his sanctity grew by acclaim.
Beatification
No distinct beatification in the 8th century; his sainthood was organic.
Canonization
Canonized in 1037 by Pope Benedict IX in Rome, based on miracles and Northumbrian devotion, per Alcuin’s records.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No beatification miracle; veneration rested on his life.
Miracle for canonization
Healing of a mute boy in the 8th century, per Bede (*Ecclesiastical History* V.2), key to his 1037 canonization.
Other notable miracles
- Posthumous protection of Beverley, linked to 1066 victory
- Healings at his shrine, per medieval lore
Patronage
Saint John of Beverley is patron of Beverley, Yorkshire, and deaf people.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint John of Beverley is celebrated on May 7.
Veneration
Saint John is venerated through prayers for healing, centered at Beverley Minster—his shrine lost to the Reformation. With mitre or book, his cult thrives in Yorkshire, his May 7 feast recalling miracles. His legacy, via Bede, guards Northumbria’s faithful.
Books
Written about the saint
- Bede, *Ecclesiastical History of the English People* (Book V, Chapter 2)
- Alcuin, *On the Saints of York* (8th century)
Written by the saint
- No writings survive.