Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea In Welsh Legend

Three Hebrew missionaries are named, but only with their British names in Welsh manuscripts as having brought the teachings of Jesus into Britain in the first century. The three are called 'Ilid', 'Cyndaf' and his son 'Mawan. Most eminent authorities concur in identifying the three with Bron, Joseph of Arimathea, and Joseph's son Josephes. Ilid and Cyndaf are described in the manuscripts as 'Men of Israel' and in one manuscript Mawan is said to be Cyndaf's son. 

The three are credited with bringing the gospel into Britain during the first century AD. In the manuscripts their mission is associated with the coming of Aristobulus - 'Arwystli Hen,' given in the Welsh as 'Man of Italy,' whose role as 'bishop of the Britons' is detailed in the List of Hippolytus and in the Greek Martyrologies. And with the return from captivity in Rome of Bran Vendigaeth 'Bran the Blessed.'

"A slightly different version is given in the 'Achau Saint Prydain' the 'Genealogies of the Saints of Britain.' - 'These came with Bran the Blessed from Rome to Britain- Arwystli Hen (Senex), Ilid, Cyndaw, men of Israel; Maw, or Manaw, son of Arwystli Hen.'

'Next to Joseph and Simon Zelotes came Aristobulus. The Martyrologies of the Greek Churches;- 'Aristobulus was one of the seventy disciples, and a follower of St. Paul the Apostle, along with whom he preached the Gospel to the whole world, and ministered to him. He was chosen by St. Paul to be the missionary bishop to the land of Britain, inhabited by a very warlike and fierce race. By them he was often scourged and repeatedly dragged as a criminal through their towns, yet he converted many of them to Christianity. He was there martyred, after he built churches and ordained deacons and priests for the island.' . from 'St. Paul in Britain' pt. II p80.

In 'St. Paul in Britain' the author give translations of two surviving British proverbs;-

'Hast thou heard the saying of Ilid,

One come of the race of Israel?

...............

'Hast thou heard the saying of Ilid,

The saint of the race of Israel?