Saint Etheldreda

Biography

Saint Etheldreda, also known as Æðelþryð, Æthelthryth, Athelthryth, Audrey, Edeltrude, Edilthride, Ediltrudis, Eteldreda, Ethelreda, and Etheldreda, was born around 636 in East Anglia, England. She was the sister of Saint Jurmin and a relative of King Anna. Etheldreda was a princess who led a remarkable life dedicated to her faith and the pursuit of holiness. At a young age, Etheldreda made a vow of perpetual virginity, committing herself to a life of purity and devotion to God. When she was married for political reasons, it was rumored that the marriage was never consummated due to her vow. However, after three years of marriage, her husband grew tired of living as brother and sister and began to make advances on her. Etheldreda resolutely refused him, firmly holding true to her vow. Desperate to be released from the marriage, her husband attempted to bribe the local bishop, Saint Wilfrid of York, to annul her vow. However, Wilfrid, recognizing the sanctity of her commitment, refused to grant the request. Instead, he supported Etheldreda in escaping her husband's advances. She fled to a promontory known as Colbert’s Head, where she sought refuge. Divine intervention seemed to intervene at this critical juncture. As Etheldreda sought sanctuary on the promontory, a high tide suddenly came in and remained high for seven days. This extraordinary occurrence effectively kept her separated from her husband and was viewed as a sign of God's favor. Realizing the futility of his pursuit, her husband eventually gave up and the marriage was annulled. After her escape, Etheldreda took the veil and became a nun. For a year, she resided with her niece, Saint Ebbe the Elder, further deepening her spiritual life. Later on, Etheldreda founded the great abbey of Ely, where she lived a life of remarkable austerity and piety as an abbess. Throughout her life, Etheldreda ardently pursued holiness and demonstrated deep humility and devotion to God. She was known for her commitment to the virtue of chastity and her vow of perpetual virginity, which she fiercely upheld even in the face of adversity. Etheldreda's life was not without its challenges. In her later years, she developed an enormous and unsightly tumor on her neck. She accepted this affliction as Divine retribution for her vanity in wearing numerous necklaces in her younger years. Saint Etheldreda's faith and sanctity were recognized by many during her life, and she continued to inspire devotion even after her death. She passed away on 23 June 679 of natural causes. Her body was re-interred in 694, where it was found to be incorrupt. In 1106, her remains were again moved and re-interred in the Cathedral at Ely, where they were once more discovered to be incorrupt. Although she was canonized before the official process of canonization was established, Saint Etheldreda is venerated as a holy saint in the Catholic Church. Her feast day is celebrated on 23 June. Additionally, she is revered as a patron saint for those suffering from neck ailments and throat ailments, as well as the University of Cambridge and widows. Saint Etheldreda's life serves as an example of unwavering faith, dedication, and commitment to the virtue of chastity. Her profound influence and her founding of the abbey of Ely have left a lasting impact on the Church and the faithful. The annual Saint Audrey's Fair held at Ely on her feast day, which gave rise to the term "tawdry" due to the shoddy merchandise sold there, further attests to her enduring legacy.