Born near Aberdeen (Tullicht?), Scotland; died 678.
Saint Nathalan's name is included in ancient Irish martyrologies, such
as that of Aengus. The Aberdeen breviary records that Nathalan was a
nobleman, who possessed a large estate which he gave to the poor in
order to become an anchorite. Nathalan is especially praised for having
earned his living by farming,
which approaches nearest to divine
contemplation.
He fed his neighbours from his produce during times of
famine, and found that farming served him as a type of penance.
During his pilgrimage to Rome, Nathalan was consecrated bishop by the
pope, because of his holiness and proficiency in profane and sacred
learning. He took up residence at Tullicht (now in the diocese of
Aberdeen), where he built a church, but he continued to use all his
revenues for the relief of the poor as he had previously. He continued
to earn his livelihood by the work of his hands, while living austerely,
and preaching the Gospel. He is also credited with founding the churches
at Bothelim and Colle.
His story has elements of folklore, which resembles that of several
other saints from this part of the world--but with a difference. A
sudden storm interfered with Nathalan's harvest, and he protested
against God. When he realised what he had done, he locked his hand and
leg together in irons and tossed away the key in the River Dee.
He vowed that his arm would never be free until he had made a pilgrimage
to Rome. Upon his arrival in the Eternal City, he met a boy who offered
him a fish for sale. He bought it and recovered the key from the belly
of the fish. It is said that when the pope heard of this miracle, he
determined to make him a bishop.
Many miracles were wrought at his tomb in Tullicht, where his relics
were preserved until the Deformation. It should be noted that the see of
Aberdeen had not yet been regularly established; it was first erected at
Murthlac by
Saint Bean (f.d. October 26)
at the beginning of the 11th
century, and transferred to Aberdeen by its fourth bishop, Nectan
(
Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Coulson,
Farmer,
Husenbeth).