SAINTS & STONES PILGRIMAGE The saints and stones of the churches along this pilgrimage have their origins in the early Christian traditions of North Pembrokeshire, when, from the 5th Century onwards, missionary saints and holy men began to establish communities. Traces of these may still be seen in the circular enclosures, or Llanau, constructed of massive boulders, which later became the churchyards. The tradition of marking burials with inscribed |
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| stones was handed down from the Bronze Age and continued at this
time in commemoration of local Christians. Originally many were carved with simple square
or ring crosses or carried an inscription, which gave their name and sometimes status and
antecedents in Ogham or Latin letters. Later, elaborate ornaments of knot and scroll work
enhanced these impressive memorials. The early churches were probably built of wood and turf: a small cell from which the founder saints or his follower could carry out his ministry. As they became established, stone structures replaced them. These too were often rebuilt as the Normans tried to absorb or extinguish the old traditions, even replacing some of the dedications to native saints. This pilgrimage trail may be started at any point and refreshments are available along the route. The churches on the trail all welcome visitors and offer further information leaflets for your enjoyment. cyflwyniad Mae saint a cherrig yr eglwysi sydd i'w gweld ar hyd y bererindod hon yn ddyddio nôl i draddodiadau Cristnogol cynnar Gogledd Penfro, pan aeth saint cenhadol a dynion duwiol ati, o'r 5ed ganrif ymlaen i ddechrau sefydlu cymunedau. Gellir gweld olion o'r rhain hyd heddiw yn y lleoedd caeëdig, siap cylch neu Llanan, a adeiladwyd allan o feini anferth, ac a ddaeth yn fynwentydd yn nes ymlaen. Trosglwyddwyd yr arfer o nodi mannau claddu gyda cherrig o gyfnod yr Oes Efydd ac fe barhawyd â'r traddodiad o goffáu Cristnogion lleol yn ystod y cyfnod hwn. Yn wreiddiol, cerfiwyd nifer ohonynt â chroesau ar ffurf sgwar syml neu gylch neu weithiau gosodwyd arysgrifen arnynt mewn llythrennau Ogam neu Ladin a fyddai'n cofnodi eu henwau ac weithiau eu safle mewn cymdeithas ynghyd â'u rhagflaenwyr. Yn nes ymlaen daeth addurniadau manwl ar lun gwaith cwlwm a sgrol i hyrwyddo'r cofebau gafaelgar yma. Adeiladwyd yr eglwysi cynharaf o goed a thyweirch, mwy na thebyg : cell fechan o'r lle y gallai'r sylfaenydd o sant neu ei ddilynwr drefnu ei weinidogaeth. Wrth iddynt ddod yn rhai sefydliedig, daeth adeiladau o gerrig I gymryd eu lle. Câi'r rhain yn aml eu hail-godi wrth i'r Normaniaid geisio diddymu neu ddileu'r hen draddodiadau, gan ail-gysegru rhai hyd yn oed, i seintiau brodorol. Gellir cychwyn ar hyd llwybr y bererindod yn unrhywfan ac fe fydd lluniaeth ar gael ar y daith. Mae'r eglwysi sydd i'w gweld ar y bererindod i gyd yn croesawu ymwelwyr ac yn darparu taflenni gyda gwybodaeth bellach er mwyn rhoi boddhad i chi. |
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