died c. 497
Bishop of Lusk in Ireland, also venerated in Scotland (c. 497)
Saint Maccallin, Bishop of Lusk
Maccallin (also recorded as Macculind, Macallan, MacCuilinn, and Maculinus) was a fifth-century bishop associated with Lusk in present-day County Dublin, Ireland. The surviving accounts of his life are sparse and not always consistent, and the seventeenth-century hagiographer John O'Hanlon observed that much confusion exists in the documents and traditions concerning the period in which the patron saint of Lusk flourished. He is commemorated on September 6 and is venerated as the patron of Lusk.
By tradition, Maccallin studied theology and scripture under a teacher named Gregory at a place rendered as Carbrinum. He is said to have founded a monastery and built a church at Lusk, where one account relates that he lived in a cave during the work of building. Sources credit him with establishing monasteries at Durpconyle and Albamene and, more broadly, with founding twelve monasteries in all. He is also said to have visited Rome, where a Pope Gregory ordained him bishop and directed him to return to his own province.
Maccallin's veneration extended beyond Ireland to Scotland, which he is said to have visited; a Scottish parish, Macalan, was named after him. He is reported to have died around the year 497. According to later tradition his remains were laid in a vault beneath the round tower at Lusk, where a number of his episcopal successors were also buried.
Lusk became the center of Maccallin's activity, and he is remembered as its bishop and patron. Tradition holds that he lived in a cave while raising a church and founding a monastery in the settlement. Beyond Lusk itself, the sources attribute to him the foundation of monasteries named Durpconyle and Albamene, and state that he founded twelve monasteries altogether, though the details of these foundations are not well preserved.
Maccallin is venerated both in Ireland and in Scotland, the latter connected to a visit he is said to have made there; a Scottish parish bearing the name Macalan was associated with him. His feast is kept on September 6. He is listed among the saints of the pre-schism Western Church venerated within the Orthodox tradition.