Baring-Gould’s sources: Irish Martyrologies on Jan. i. Dempster’s Scottish Menology on Jan. 24 and Dec. 22. Adam King’s Kalendar on Dec. 22. Aberdeen Breviary Kalendar on Dec. 22. David Camerarius on Dec. 21. Authority: — Adamnan, in his Life of S. Columba, iii. 23.] S. Ernan or Etheman, called also Ferreolus, was of the race of Conall Gulban, and was nephew of S. Columba. With his brother Cobtach he became a monk in Ireland. These brothers were among the twelve followers of S. Columba when he crossed over from Ireland to the work of the conversion of the Scots and Piets. After many years Ernan returned to Ireland to the monastery of Drumhome in Donegal, which had been founded by S. Columba. Adamnan had seen Ernan, when very old, but speaks of him as having been a strong working man at the time of Columba’s death. Adamnan mentions a vision he had on the night of the death of Columba, in his old age.

This Ernan is not to be confounded with Ernan of Rathmew, in Wicklow, who died in 634, and is commemorated on August 18. This latter Ernan was a serving-boy in the monastery of ClonmaCnois, when S. Columba [Irish abbot of Iona (d. 597), apostle of Scotland] visited it about a.d. 590. Ernan tried to touch the hem of his cloak, when S. Columba, perceiving what he was about, took hold of him, and drew him before his face. On the bystanders observing that he ought not to take notice of such a troublesome boy, he desired them to have patience, and giving his blessing to the lad, said to them: “ This boy whom you despise now will grow up to be gifted with great wisdom from God”

December SS. Theodulus, Saturninus, and Others, MM. in Crete; arc. S. Victoria, V.M. at Rome; a.d. 353. SS. Migdonius, Mardonius, and Others, MM. at Nicomedia; S. Servulus, C. at Rome; circ. A.D. 59a S. Mazota, V. in Abemetky; •jthcent S. Thorjlac, B. of Skalholt; a.d. 1193.