An irish monk known for his role in the converison of England.  He had studied under St. Senan, at Iniscathay (Scattery Island).   He resigned his original placement and became a monk at Iona about 630.  He was selected  in 635 as first Bishop of Lindisfarne.  He is known as the apostle of Northumbria.

Aidan was known for his knowledge of the Bible, preaching, personal holiness, simple life, scholarship, and charity.  and being a miracle worker.  St. Aidan died at Bamborough on the last day of August in 651.

St. Bede praises Aidan with the following words about Aidan's virtue:

his love of peace and charity; his chastity and humility; his mind superior to anger and avarice, and despising pride and vain glory; his industry in keeping and teaching the heavenly commandments; his diligence in reading and watching; his authority becoming a priest in reproving the haughty and powerful, and, at the same time, his tenderness in comforting the afflicted and relieving and defending the poor. To say all, in a few words, as near as I could be, informed by those who knew him, he took care to omit none of all those things which he found enjoined in the apostolic or prophetic writings, but to the utmost of his power endeavoured to perform them all in his actions.

St. Aidan died at Bamborough on the last day of August in 651.

Also worth a read is Msgr Barr's sermon and story on St. Aidan.

St. Aidan knew that just like you catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar, you catch a lot more sinners with a promise of God's mercy than with threats. Remember what he said: "How can you turn away when Christ calls you back with mercy? Come home--come home to Christ, for the day is short; the night is coming on; the accepted time for repenting and receiving God's mercy is now."