Saint Cera
Encyclopedia
Saint Cera of Ireland
(alternately Chera, Chier, Ciara, Cyra, Kiara, Cier, Ciar) was an abbess
in the 7th century who died in 679
. Her history is probably commingled with another Cera (alternately Ciar, Ciara) who lived in the 6th century. However, some authors maintain that monastic mistakes account for references to Cera in the 6th century or that a single Cera had an exceptionally long life span.
instructed the inhabitants to seek Cera's prayers. They followed his instructions, Cera prayed in response to their supplications, and the fire disappeared. Since St. Brendan died in 577, this story likely refers to an earlier Cera. "Muscraig, in Momonia" may refer to Muskerry
, an area outside of Cork
. "Momonia" refers to southern Ireland in at least one ancient map.
The other story relates how St. Cera established a nunnery called Tech-Telle around the year 625. Cera was the daughter of Duibhre (or Dubreus) reportedly in the blood line of the kings of Connor (or Conaire). She, along with 5 other virgins asked Saint Fintan Munnu
for a place to serve God. He and his monks gave the women their abbey in Heli (or Hele). Heli may have been in County Westmeath
. He blessed Cera, and instructed her to name the place after St. Telle who had given three jubilations in the plain of Miodhluachra that day.
St. Cera eventually returned to her own province and founded another monastery, Killchree, which she governed until her death in 679. The later Franciscan Kilcrea Friary
stands about a mile west of where her monastery stood, and claims to have taken its name, Kilcrea, in her honor: "Kilcrea (Cill Chre) means the Cell of Cere, Ciara, Cera or Cyra."
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(alternately Chera, Chier, Ciara, Cyra, Kiara, Cier, Ciar) was an abbess
Abbess
An abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey....
in the 7th century who died in 679
679
Year 679 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 679 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Deaths :* Æthelthryth, wife of King Ecgfrith of...
. Her history is probably commingled with another Cera (alternately Ciar, Ciara) who lived in the 6th century. However, some authors maintain that monastic mistakes account for references to Cera in the 6th century or that a single Cera had an exceptionally long life span.
Life
There are two stories connected with the saint(s). In the first story, Cera's prayers saved an Irish town from a foul smelling fire. When a noxious blaze broke out in "Muscraig, in Momonia," St. BrendanBrendan
Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert called "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" is one of the early Irish monastic saints. He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called St. Brendan's Island. The Voyage of St...
instructed the inhabitants to seek Cera's prayers. They followed his instructions, Cera prayed in response to their supplications, and the fire disappeared. Since St. Brendan died in 577, this story likely refers to an earlier Cera. "Muscraig, in Momonia" may refer to Muskerry
Muskerry
Muskerry is a central region of County Cork, Ireland which incorporates the baronies of Muskerry West and Muskerry East. It is located along the vallley of the River Lee and is bounded by the Boggeragh Mountains to the north and the Shehy Mountains to the south. The region is named after the...
, an area outside of Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. "Momonia" refers to southern Ireland in at least one ancient map.
The other story relates how St. Cera established a nunnery called Tech-Telle around the year 625. Cera was the daughter of Duibhre (or Dubreus) reportedly in the blood line of the kings of Connor (or Conaire). She, along with 5 other virgins asked Saint Fintan Munnu
Saint Fintan Munnu
Saint Fintán, or Munnu , was the founder and abbot of the abbey at Teach-munnu, today Taghmon in the County Wexford, Ireland.- Life :...
for a place to serve God. He and his monks gave the women their abbey in Heli (or Hele). Heli may have been in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. He blessed Cera, and instructed her to name the place after St. Telle who had given three jubilations in the plain of Miodhluachra that day.
St. Cera eventually returned to her own province and founded another monastery, Killchree, which she governed until her death in 679. The later Franciscan Kilcrea Friary
Kilcrea Friary
Kilcrea Friary is located near Ovens in County Cork, Ireland. It is in the barony of Muskerry, a short distance west of Cork city...
stands about a mile west of where her monastery stood, and claims to have taken its name, Kilcrea, in her honor: "Kilcrea (Cill Chre) means the Cell of Cere, Ciara, Cera or Cyra."