thdon, in the
northeast of Scotland. It is said that his holy master commanded him
to found a church in the spot where he should find a river forming by
its windings the shape of a bishop's pastoral staff. Such a
configuration he found in the river Don, at the spot now known as Old
Aberdeen. Here he accordingly fixed his seat, and the cathedral that
rose from the humble beginnings of a church instituted by Machar now
bears his name.
Besides the old Cathedral of Aberdeen, there are in the same county
two parishes, formerly joined in one, which are known as New and Old
Machar, respectively. At Kildrummie, in Aberdeenshire, is a place
called (after the saint) "Macker's Haugh." There is St. Machar's
Well, near the cathedral, at Old Aberdeen; the water used always to
be taken for baptismal purposes to the cathedral. {164}
At Corgarff, in Strathdon, is another spring known as _Tobar Mhachar_
(the well of St. Machar); miracles were formerly obtained there. Of
this spring the legend is related of a priest, in time of famine,
drawing from it three fine salmon which lasted him for food till
supplies came from other quarters.
St. Machar's feast was restored to Scotland by Pope Leo XIII. in
1898.
13--St. Devenick, about the 6th century.
Tradition tells that this saint was a contemporary of the former, and
preached the Gospel in Caithness. A legend relates that his body was
borne for burial to Banchory Devenick, in Kincardineshire, in
accordance with his continually expressed desire to rest in the
district of St. Machar, whom he had tenderly loved during life. A
church was afterwards built over his relics, and named after him.
Criech, in Sutherlandshire, was probably another of his churches, if
he is the saint known there as St. Teavneach. Besides a fair of great
antiquity, known as "Dennick's", held at Milton of Glenesk,
Forfarshire, another at {165} Methlick, Aberdeenshire, held in
November about this date, bore the same name; this implies that the
respective churches are dedicated to him, as fairs bearing saints
names had their origin in all instances in the concourse of people
assembled for the celebration of the patronal feast of a church. St.
Devenick's Well is near Methlick church.
15--St. Machutus, or Malo, Bishop, A.D. 565.
The Aberdeen Breviary gives on this day the feast of the British
saint who became one of the apostles of Brittany and is commemorated
there by the town of St. Malo.
There is no reco
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