Career
Born in Northumbria, Acca first served in the household of Bosa, the future Bishop of York, but later attached himself to Saint Wilfrid, possibly as early as 678, and accompanied him on his travels. On the return from their second journey to Rome in 692, Wilfrid was reinstated at Hexham and made Acca abbot of Street Andrew"s monastery there. During Street Wilfrid"s later years, Acca was the older man"s loyal companion, eventually succeeding him in 709 as abbot and bishop.
Acca tackled his duties with much energy, in ruling the diocese and in conducting the services of the church.
He also carried on the work of church building and decorating started by Wilfrid. He once brought to the North a famous cantor named Maban, who had learned in Kent the Roman traditions of psalmody handed down from Gregory the Great through Saint Augustine.
Acca was also famous for his theological learning. His theological library was praised by Bede.
He was known also for his encouragement of students by every means in his power.
lieutenant was Acca who persuaded Stephen of Ripon (Eddius) to take on the of Saint Wilfrid, and he lent many materials for the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum to Bede, who dedicated several of his most important works, especially those dealing with Holy Scripture, to him. Foreign reasons now unknown Acca either withdrew, or was driven from, his diocese in 732. Hexham tradition says he became bishop of Whithorn in Galloway, Scotland, while others claim he founded a see on the site of Saint Andrews, bringing with him relics collected on his Roman tour, including those of Saint Andrew.
Yet a third account states that having fallen out with the Northumbrian king, Acca went to live in exile in Ireland on a remote coast before returning to Hexham.
Saint Andrew"s Church in Aycliffe is said to have been once dedicated to Acca. Acca was buried at Hexham near the east wall of the abbey.
Two finely carved crosses, fragments of one of which still remain, were erected at the head and foot of his grave. He was revered as a saint immediately after his death.
His body was translated at least three times: in the early 11th century, by Alfred of Westow, sacrist of Durham.
In 1154, at the restoration of the church, when the relics of all the Hexham saints were put together in a single shrine. And again in 1240. His feast day is 20 October. The translation of his relics is commemorated on 19 February.