Alcuin was an Englishman from York, born into a noble family about 730,
and educated by a pupil of Bede. Having become a
deacon, he was made head of the cathedral school at York around 770. In
781 he was asked by the Emperor Charlemagne to become his minister of
education. He accepted, and established schools at many cathedrals and
monasteries, and promoted learning in every way he could. In the
preceding years of constant wars and invasions, many ancient writings had
been lost. Alcuin established scriptoria, dedicated to the copying and
preservation of ancient manuscripts, both pagan and Christian. That we
have as much as we do of the writings of classical Roman authors is
largely due to Alcuin and his scribes. (He is credited with the invention
of cursive script, in which the letters are connected for greater speed
of writing.) To Alcuin, backed by Charlemagne, belongs much of the credit
for the revision and organisation of the Latin liturgy, the preservation
of many of the ancient prayers, and the development of plainchant. He and
his fellow theologians at Charlemagne's capital of Aachen (or
Aix-le-Chappelle) were important advocates of the doctrine that the Holy
Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son jointly. Unfortunately, the
East, which regarded the Emperor at Byzantium as the sole Emperor,
resented Charlemagne's assumption of the title of Holy Roman Emperor, and
this hardened their opposition to the aforesaid doctrine, thus
contributing to the rift between East and West.
Almighty God, who in a rude and barbarous age didst raise up Thy deacon Alcuin to rekindle the light of learning: Illumine our minds, we pray thee, that amid the uncertainties and confusions of our own time we may show forth thine eternal truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Almighty God, who in a rude and barbarous age raised up your Deacon Alcuin to rekindle the light of learning: Illumine our minds, we pray, that amid the uncertainties and confusions of our own time we may show forth your eternal truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Psalm 37:3-6,32-33 or 112:1-9
Ecclesiasticus 39:1-9
Matthew 13:47-52 (St1)