THE region will celebrate 900 years since one of its most famous saints took up the life of a hermit next month (May).

Although St Godric was never formally canonised, his legacy lives on in the names of numerous North-East churches and schools.

This year marks nine centuries since he retreated to the life of a hermit at Finchale, near Durham, where later monks built the Priory which remains as ruins today.

Having been a sailor and trader and visited Jerusalem before seeing a vision of St Cuthbert at Holy Island and devoting his life to Christian service, Godric lived at Finchale for around 60 years, occasionally accepting visitors approved by the local prior.

His reputation as a wise and holy man grew with time, such that Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket and Pope Alexander III are said to have sought his advice.

He was known for his kindness to animals, protecting creatures that lived near him including a stag he hid from pursuing hunters and snakes he allowed to warm themselves by his fire.

The monk Reginald of Durham recorded four of Godric’s songs, which are the oldest English songs for which the original musical settings arrive.

To celebrate the 900th anniversary, events will be held at Durham, Finchale and Wolsingham, where at the Holy Well in 1106 he saw a vision of St Aelric, who told him to live as hermit at Finchale.

An open air service celebrating the Feast of the Ascension will be held at Finchale on Thursday, May 14, at 6.30pm.

Two events will mark May 21, the date of Godric’s death in 1170.

Durham Cathedral will stage a Eucharist service at 12.30pm and in Wolsingham the Holy Well will be decorated by members of Weardale Flower Club and at 7pm a re-enactment group will song some of Godric’s songs. A short ecumenical service will follow in Wolsingham parish church.

The largest event will take place at Finchale on Saturday, May 23.

At 2pm an ecumenical service will be held attended by church leaders from across the region, including the Right Reverend Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham; Father Martin Stempczyk, the Vicar General of the RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle; and former Methodist Conference President Rev Ruth Gee.

Sherburn Hill Salvation Army Band will provide the music and children from St Godric’s RC Primary and Blue Coat CofE Primary schools in Durham City will perform. Guests are invited to take a picnic to enjoy afterwards.

Finally, parts of St Godric’s life will be re-enacted and his songs performed at Heatherycleugh parish church, Weardale, on Sunday, May 31, at 10.30am.