Icon of St. Withburga of Dereham - 00STWD01

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Icon of St. Withburga of Dereham - 00STWD01

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Feast Day/Commemorated: October 27

Early Life and Miracles

 

Saint Withburga, the youngest daughter of King Anna of East Anglia, was born into a holy lineage. After her father's martyrdom, Withburga was raised by her nurse in Holkham, Norfolk. Early in her life, a miraculous event occurred: while playing by the seashore, she gathered pebbles and sand that supernaturally coalesced into an unmovable mass. This was interpreted as a sign, foreshadowing the construction of a holy church on that very spot, which indeed came to pass centuries later, dedicated to Withburga herself.

 

Asceticism and Divine Provision

Withburga embraced a life of rigorous asceticism, initially as an anchoress in Holkham, a place subsequently renamed "Withburgstowe" in her honor. She later relocated to Dereham (formerly East Dereham), where she founded a convent and established a community of nuns. During her time in Dereham, Withburga was blessed with multiple appearances of the Mother of God, a rare privilege among early English saints. A notable miracle involved the divine provision of milk: when the community faced scarcity, the Mother of God instructed Withburga to send sisters to a nearby spring, where two wild does miraculously appeared daily to provide abundant milk for the convent for many years.

 

Trials and Triumphs

The success and divine favor shown to Withburga and her community, however, drew the envy of a local landowner. He attempted to disrupt the miraculous milk supply by pursuing the does with his hounds, even trying to kill them. This wicked act met with swift divine retribution, as he was fatally thrown from his horse. This legend is still commemorated on the town sign of Dereham. Withburga continued to guide her flock with wisdom and grace, her reputation for holiness drawing many seeking advice and healing. She reposed in the Lord on March 17/30, 743, at an advanced age, and was buried in the churchyard of the church she had founded in Dereham.

 

Posthumous Veneration and Relic Translation

Fifty-five years after her death, in 798, Withburga's relics were exhumed and found to be incorrupt, further cementing her veneration. Her shrine became a destination for countless pilgrims seeking healing and consolation. In 974, during a period of monastic revival, Brithnoth, Abbot of Ely, decided to transfer Withburga's relics to Ely Monastery, where her sisters and niece were also enshrined. This was done secretly and against the will of the Dereham townsfolk, who deeply mourned her departure.

 

The Miraculous Well

In a poignant act of divine consolation, a pure healing spring miraculously gushed forth from Withburga's former grave in Dereham on the very day her relics were removed. This holy well, dedicated to Saint Withburga, became renowned for its curative properties and has flowed continuously for over a millennium, regardless of weather conditions, attracting pilgrims to this day. This enduring miracle serves as a testament to Saint Withburga's sanctity and continued intercession.

Saint Withburga in Art and Legacy

Saint Withburga, a revered figure in Christian art, is commonly depicted as a crowned abbess, often with two roe deer at her feet, symbolizing the miraculous provision of milk during her time at Dereham. Occasionally, she is also shown holding a model of a church, representing the religious institutions she founded or inspired. Her image can be found across England, particularly in Norfolk churches, where she is featured on at least six church screens and numerous stained glass windows. Notable examples include her depictions at Barnham Broom church, holding her church model; at North Burlingham church, with both a church and deer; on the Great Ryburgh church screen; and in a beautiful stained glass at Fritton church. She also appears on a fifteenth-century rood screen in St. Mary’s Church in Woolpit, Suffolk, alongside Saints Etheldreda, Edmund, and Felix.

These artistic representations serve as enduring testaments to the memory of this holy virgin, solitary ascetic, visionary, royal princess, and abbess. Through these depictions, Saint Withburga's remarkable life and miracles continue to be preserved in her native region, inspiring devotion among the faithful.

Holy Mother Withburga, pray to God for us!

 

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard  mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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