Observations placeholder
Saint Brendan - 11 The Voyage of Saint Brendan
Identifier
015601
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Another allegory
A description of the experience
The Voyages of Saint Brendan – A Journey to the Promised Land translated from the Latin by John J O’Meara
THE GRYPHON
WHEN THEY had gone on board, the boat's sail was hoisted to steer where the wind directed. After they had sailed, the bird called the Gryphon appeared to them, flying from far away towards them. When his brothers saw it they started saying to the holy father:
'That beast has come to devour us.'
The man of God said to them:
'Do not be afraid. God is our helper. He will defend us on this occasion too.'
The bird stretched her talons to seize the servants of God. Just then, suddenly, the bird which on the earlier occasion brought them the branch with the fruits, flew swiftly up to the Gryphon, which immediately made to devour her. But that bird defended herself until she overcame and tore out the eyes of the Gryphon. The Gryphon then flew high up into the sky so that the brothers could scarcely see her. But her killer pursued her until she killed her. For the Gryphon's body fell into the sea near the boat before the eyes of the brothers. The other bird returned to her own place.