St Barrwg’s, Bedwas, Gwent, Wales
The twenty-seventh of September is the feast-day of the præ-Schismatic Welsh holy man, Saint Barrwg of Ynys Barri. A somewhat hapless disciple and follower of Saint Cadog, few historical or hagiographical resources exist on Saint Barrwg’s life. He is chiefly commemorated in the village of Bedwas near Caerphilly north of Cardiff, and on the Isle of Barry off of Gŵyr on the southern coast of Wales.
What little we know of the saint comes from later hagiographies. He was one of two disciples of Saint Cadog – the other was named Gwalches – who accompanied him to the Isle of Barry. When Abbot Cadog made land on the Isle of Barry he asked for his little prayer-book. However, neither Barrwg nor Gwalches could produce it, for it had been forgotten and left behind on the mainland. When the two disciples confessed to this, Saint Cadog flew into a rage and bade his disciples get back into the boat and recover it. Still in a fury and not minding his tongue, Cadog also pronounced upon them a curse that they should never return. Barrwg and Gwalches did as their spiritual father bade them, crossed over to the mainland and found the prayer-book. They got back into the boat to return it to Saint Cadog, but their boat capsized in a sudden surge, and the two of them drowned. Saint Cadog, mourning over his disciple, dragged the body of Barrwg ashore and buried him. The body of Saint Gwalches was carried off to Flat Holm Island. Saint Cadog’s prayer-book was later found safe and undamaged, having been swallowed by a salmon that he caught.
There is a slightly-deprecating comment at the end of his hagiography, to this effect: ‘For what particular reason Barrwg was esteemed a saint does not transpire.’ However, Saint Barrwg is honoured with one of the single oldest continuously-standing churches in Wales, St Barrwg’s in Bedwas. This church dates back to 1102, and was unfortunately commandeered as a stable for the horses of Oliver Cromwell’s army as he was besieging Caerphilly during the Civil War. It is now a Grade II-listed structure and protected in the historical interest. Holy ascetic Barrwg, obedient disciple of Cadog, pray unto Christ our God that our souls may be saved!
Light of the West, inspirer of monastics and boast of ascetics,
Thy radiant life was pleasing to God, O Father Barrwg.
Do not reject us in our pitiable state but pray, O Saint,
That repenting and weeping we may be found worthy
Of a place in Christ's holy Kingdom.
Ynys Barri, Gŵyr, Wales
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