Finan of Lindisfarne (died 10 or 17 February 661), also known as Saint Finan, was an Irish monk, trained at Iona Abbey in Scotland, who became the second bishop of Lindisfarne from 651 until 661.
Life
Finan was appointed to Lindisfarne in 651, Finan also founded St. Mary's Priory at the mouth of the River Tyne. He also participated in the founding of Gilling Abbey, established by Queen Eanflæd in memory of her kinsman Oswine of Deira. Bede is the main source for Finan's life. He is specially noted by Bede as having borne an important part in the conversion of the northern Saxons.
The breviary of Aberdeen styles him "a man of venerable life, a bishop of great sanctity, an eloquent teacher ... remarkable for his training in virtue and his liberal education, surpassing all his equals in every manner of knowledge as well as in circumspection and prudence, but chiefly devoting himself to good works and presenting in his life, a most apt example of virtue".
Finan died in 661, and was buried at Lindisfarne, having held that see ten years.
Veneration
Finan's feast day is celebrated upon 9 January.