John Menzies Strain
Encyclopedia
John Menzies Strain was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the first Archbishop
of the Metropolitan see of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland
.
on 8 December 1810, he was the son of Hugh Strain and Cecilia Strain (née McKenzie). He was educated at Edinburgh High School, the Seminary in Aquhorties, Aberdeenshire
, and the Scots College
in Rome
.
to the priesthood
on 9 June 1833. He left Rome on 3 August 1833, returning to Scotland, where he served at St Mary's, Edinburgh for two months, then appointed an assistant at Dumfries
. He was appointed to take charge of the mission
at Dalbeattie
on 17 March 1835, which included the greater part of Kirkcudbrightshire
. He returned to Dumfries in 1857 to take charge of the mission there. In 1859, he became the President of St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeen
.
of Abila Lysaniae
by the Holy See
on 2 September 1864 and consecrated
to the Episcopate
at the Vatican
on 25 September 1864. The principal consecrator
was Pope Pius IX
, and the principal co-consecrators were Cardinal Giuseppe Berardi and Archbishop François Marinelli.
He laboured long and strenuously for the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
; and it was greatly due to his effects that the restoration took place, under Pope Leo XIII
, on 15 March 1878. The Eastern District was elevated to the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, with John Menzies Strain appointed as its first archbishop. A few years later, he held the first diocesan synod in 1881.
During his nineteen years' episcopate he saw the number of clergy and missions increase during his tenure; many new schools were opened, and several religious communities, both of men and women, introduced.
He died in Edinburgh
on 2 July 1883, aged 72.
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Metropolitan see of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Early life
Born in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
on 8 December 1810, he was the son of Hugh Strain and Cecilia Strain (née McKenzie). He was educated at Edinburgh High School, the Seminary in Aquhorties, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, and the Scots College
The Scots College (Rome)
The Scots College in Rome was established by Clement VIII in 1600, when it was assigned the revenue of the old Scots' hospice...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Priestly career
He was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 9 June 1833. He left Rome on 3 August 1833, returning to Scotland, where he served at St Mary's, Edinburgh for two months, then appointed an assistant at Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
. He was appointed to take charge of the mission
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
at Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie is a town in Dumfries and Galloway , Scotland.Dalbeattie is situated in a wooded valley on the Urr Water east of Castle Douglas and south west of Dumfries...
on 17 March 1835, which included the greater part of Kirkcudbrightshire
Kirkcudbrightshire
The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright or Kirkcudbrightshire was a county of south-western Scotland. It was also known as East Galloway, forming the larger Galloway region with Wigtownshire....
. He returned to Dumfries in 1857 to take charge of the mission there. In 1859, he became the President of St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
.
Episcopal career
He was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District and Titular BishopTitular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Abila Lysaniae
Abila Lysaniou
Abila Lysaniou or Abila Lysaniae or Abila was an ancient city, on the Abana River and capital of ancient Abilene, Coele-Syria. The site is currently that of the village Suk Wadi Barada , circa northwest of Damascus, Syria...
by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
on 2 September 1864 and consecrated
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
to the Episcopate
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
at the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
on 25 September 1864. The principal consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
was Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
, and the principal co-consecrators were Cardinal Giuseppe Berardi and Archbishop François Marinelli.
He laboured long and strenuously for the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
Restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
The Restoration of the Scottish hierarchy refers to the re-establishment of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland on 15 March 1878...
; and it was greatly due to his effects that the restoration took place, under Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
, on 15 March 1878. The Eastern District was elevated to the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, with John Menzies Strain appointed as its first archbishop. A few years later, he held the first diocesan synod in 1881.
During his nineteen years' episcopate he saw the number of clergy and missions increase during his tenure; many new schools were opened, and several religious communities, both of men and women, introduced.
He died in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
on 2 July 1883, aged 72.