Columba and the Loch Ness monster

On August 22, 565, Columba, the Irish missionary and “Apostle to Scotland,” became the first recorded observer of the Loch Ness monster.

Columba came from Ireland in 563 with twelve disciples and settled on the small tidal island of Iona off the coast of western Scotland. From this base proceeded the evangelizing of the nation.

During a trip through the Loch Ness area, Columba came upon some of the heathen Picts burying a man who had been killed by the monster. Columba laid his staff across the man’s chest and he was restored to life. As Columba preached to the Picts, one uninterested listener swam off across the loch. The monster struck again and began to attack the swimmer.

Columba’s biographer recorded the ensuing events.

“He raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and commanded the ferocious monster, saying, ‘Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed.’ Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and the beast. Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians.”