St Cein or St Ceinwyr (Cein the Fair) is one of the many daughters of Brychan. She refused to marry, despite being courted by a number of eligible noblemen. Instead, she opted for the single life, consecrated her life to God. A bride of Christ.
She spent some years in Cornwall, which is where her nephew, St Cadoc, visited her to urge her back to Wales. She settled here at the place we now know as Llangeinor, her hilltop Llan in the Garw valley not far from Cadoc’s Llan.
At the end of a life well lived, she saw her impending death in a dream. There, in her sleep, her hair shirt was removed by two angels who clothed her in gold. She died on 8th October around the year 510AD and was very likely buried in this place by her nephew, Cadoc. The present Church, of 12th century origin, was rebuilt in the 16th century, and received a restoration in the late 1890s.
Hwyl
Fair Cein,
Ceinwyr,
daughter of Brychan,
cradled by the hills of Brycheiniog,
a solitary saint,
a bride of Christ.
She was called home
to Wales by Cadoc
to this hilltop Llan
with its sunset views
across the valleys
and the land below.
Now, later in life,
her work done,
she is called home
to Heaven,
raised higher still,
beyond the hills,
her hairshirt days behind her,
now clothed in gold
in the marriage of heaven.
Bible Reading
From Isaiah 32:16-20
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. The forest will disappear completely, and the city will be utterly laid low. Happy will you be who sow beside every stream, who let the ox and the donkey range freely.
Prayer
Lord God,
upon this hilltop Llan
of Ceinwyr
I raise my prayer to you,
with outstretched arms,
with open heart.
Keep our eyes and lives
set on the heights of heaven,
from where Christ will come again,
and may we move gently through this world,
filled with the hope of eternity.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace,
here upon this hill
with its sweeping views
of a landscape transformed
By each season.
Be alert to the sounds of nature,
to the rhythm and beat,
the flow of the world,
and the people who pass by.
Enjoy the old stones here,
and the church which has stood
for a thousand years,
on ground hallowed
by generations of prayers.
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace.
Pray for
Pray for the people of the communities close by, for the life of this church, and all the other churches nearby. Pray for a growing respect and care for God's Creation.
Hwyl Fawr
May God's promise of life and love
accompany our every move.
May God's pledge of glory
brighten the path before us. Amen.
St Ceinwyn, pray for us.
St Cadoc, pray for us.
St Brychan, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: Llangeinor is part of the Pedair Afon Ministry Area
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 