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Bible Encyclopedias
Caemhan
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or Under this form, and that of Caiman, Coeman, Caynan, Coemhoc, and Mochoemoc, this name is of frequent occurrence among the saints of Ireland, and the work of identification is very difficult.
1. Of Ard-Caemhain-set down on June 12-was the son of Coemloga aid Caemell, and appears to have been uterine brother of St. Coemgen. The Mart. Doneg. calls him Caomhan, or Sanct-Lethan, of Ard-Caomhain, in Leinster. Lanigan (Eccl. Hist. Ir. ii, 221, 223) fixes his date, as brother of St. Coemgen, to the period of the second class of Irish saints-that is, to the second half of the 6th century.
2. Of Enach-Truim-on Nov. 3-is said to have beetn of the race of Labraidh Lore, king of Ireland. Along with St. Fintan and St. Mochumin of Tir-da- glas, St. Caemhan was under the direction of St. Colum, son of Crimthann of Tir-da-glas, and with the rest constantly followed him. He founded the monastery of Enach Truim, now Annatrim, Queen's Co.; and flourished A.D. 550. There he spent the remainder of his days, and died Nov. 3, the year unknown.
3. (Caomhan, Coman, Comman, Conan, Conran, or Convan). In the table of the Mart. Doneg. he is called Pulcherius. According to Colgan (Acta Sanctoruna, p. 335), Caemhan belonged to a noble stock in Scotland, but withdrew to the Orkneys, where he built a monastery, and, after living in great sanctity as bishop and confessor, died there about 640. At Kirkwall and throughout the islands his memory was long revered. He is commemorated on Feb. 14, and many altars have been raised to his honor.
4. Bree, whose day is Sept. 14. St. Caemhan Bree, of Roseach, is carefully distinguished from St. Mac Nissi (Sept. 3), who is known by the same name, and founded Connor. Ussher places his birth in Hibernia. 529, and his death in 615.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Caemhan'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/c/caemhan.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
