An Ancient Modernity: Ikons and the Re-emergence of Orthodox Britain

Abstract

Many early histories of the Christian church in Britain start with St. Lucius, king of Britain.¹ However, a Christian presence in the British Isles, as it is understood by Eastern Orthodox Christians, goes even further back. Among various accounts, factual or mythical, of St. Joseph of Arimathea and any number of others coming in the first centuries to the shores of Albion, there is credible evidence that there was a Christian presence quite early on.² Of particular note, especially for the purposes of this chapter, is the account that appears in the Menaion of the Greek Orthodox Church. This twelve-volume work records the festal calendar of fixed commemorations³ and provides a reading associated with each saint and feast. On March 15 it remembers the Apostle St. Aristobulus of the Seventy, bishop of Britain. Originally from Cyprus, this man was the brother of the better-known St. Barnabas, who with St. Aristobulus followed Christ as one of the Seventy.⁴ Aristobulus also traveled with St. Paul,⁵ and by his hand was elevated to episcopal rank and sent to Britain. He was then, possibly, one of the first British Cypriots.