Here, in Llanishen, the oval shaped oasis skirted on each side by Llandennis Road, seems simply to be a roundabout, and an extension of the parks which characterise this part of Cardiff. But this is where St Isan laid his Llan alongside the water which flows from the Nant Fawr springs.
At some point in the early 6th century (perhaps 535) St Isan and St Edeyrn passed this way and parted ways. Edeyrn set his face to the east of Cardiff (to the place we know as Llanedeyrn). He may have travelled more widely for we find churches dedicated to him in North and South Wales. St Isan settled here, drawn by the flow of fresh, spring water (although he also spent some time as Abbot at Llantwit Major, perhaps when St Illtud was away on his own journeys).
Isan may not have journeyed as far as St Edeyrn, although there is another “Llanishen” not too far away in Monmouthshire which suggests he may have found his way there too. His stay here, though, was short. It’s thought he died on 16th December, 537. But his impact must have been significant for his name lingers here, fifteen hundred years on, in several different forms. The Latin version of his name is Dionysius, which at some point was transformed to Dennis or Denys. So there are two present day churches with his patronage: St Isan’s in Llanishen, and St Denys in neighbouring Lisvane. Yes, his name lingers.
Hwyl
Here,
water flows, still,
although no-one deems it
safe enough to drink
as once they did
when Isan's life
flowed with prayer here.
Then,
its waters were
a sight for sore eyes,
a balm for aching bones.
Today,
as the traffic curls its way around
this island green land
so Isan's Llan remains
almost unknown, undisturbed.
Today,
we need to delve deeper
to find signs
that he was ever here.
Listen.
His name lingers in the landscape,
clings to the street signs.
His patronage sets apart the church
which stands a mile away,
still present,
still here,
faith still lingering, flowing,
like the fresh springs of Nant Fawr.
Bible Reading
From John 4:7-14 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink”, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
Prayer
Lord God,
here, where water flows
on Isan's island ground,
in the heart of flowing traffic,
I stand or sit
where he and others prayed,
stirred by your Spirit
which flows through our lives
and leads us to call you 'Father.'
May we and all for whom we pray
know your tender care
and your lingering,
longing
love for us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace.
Listen to the sounds
which surround you.
Find some stillness
though you may be surrounded
by movement and change
and the rhythm of life
Let the ancient trees
inspire your prayer,
to see God's hand in his Creation,
and in the lives of all.
Pray for
Pray for those for
whom this place is home,
and for all who seek calm
in the midst of such a busy world,
for those who pass by
on their daily business.
Pray for the church communities here,
and for all who are new to the Christian faith, or those who are on their own journey of discovery.
Hwyl Fawr
May God's love fill our hearts and lives.
May his Spirit flow within us
and keep us moving in his way. Amen.
St Isan, pray for us.
St Edeyrn, pray for us.
St Illtud, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: www.parishofllanishen.org.uk
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 