Donald and his Nine Daughters
Icon by the hand of Iconographer Nicholas Papas.
Donald was the name Fr. Don was given by his parents at birth. At his ordination to the priesthood, the Bishop decided to ordain him "Fr. Donat."
St. Donald of Ogilvy (716) (Scotland).
Died early 8th century. Donald, a resident of Ogilvy in Forfarshire, Scotland, formed a religious group with his nine daughters (the “Nine Maidens”) on the death of his wife. ‘But if no more is known of him, he has nevertheless left his mark for the often found natural features, wells, hills, and so on, which are known as the “Nine Maidens”, are so called in memory of his daughters. They are said to have afterwards entered a monastery founded by St. Darlugdach and St. Brigid at Abernethy.’
Troparion to St. Donald: Father of a family, at the death of your wife, You made of your home a pious monastery, And with your seven daughters, who had become nuns, you lived a life of prayer and ascesis until the time of your falling asleep in peace.
Holy St Donald and devout daughters of Donald, pray to God for us.