Pre-Schism Orthodox Western Saints
9th July (NS) — 26th June (OS)
by Dr. John (Ellsworth) Hutchison-Hall | Orthodox Western Saints
26th June O.S.
BABOLENUS of STAVELOT-MALMÉDY, a seventh century missionary bishop in the Low Countries (present-day Netherlands and Belgium). In later life St. Babolenus followed the example of his spiritual father, St. Remaclus (3rd September) and retired to the double monastery of Stavelot-Malmédy (in present-day Belgium). St. Babolenus reposed circa 700, at Stavelot-Malmédy, and was buried in the Abbey Church.
BARBOLENUS of FOSSÉS, a monk at the Abbey of SS. Peter and Paul of Luxeuil (abbaye Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Luxeuil). St. Barbolenus went on to serve as the first Abbot of the Abbey of St. Peter of Fossé / abbaye Saint-Pierre-du-Fossé (later the Abbey of St. Maurus / abbaye de Saint-Maur) in the present-day Saint-Maur-des-Fossés suburb of Paris. St. Barbolenus reposed circa 677.
CORBICAN, (Eighth Century), an Irishman who lived as an anchorite in Frisia (present-day Netherlands). St. Corbican was known for tirelessly helping the local populus.
DEODATUS of NOLA, a deacon to St. Paulinus of Nola (22nd June), then Archpriest of Nola, and lastly successor of St. Paulinus to the See of Nola. St. Deodatus reposed in 473. His feast day is variously listed as either the 26th or 27th of June.
HERMOGIUS of TUY, the founder in 915 of the Monastery of Labrugia in Galicia (north-western Spain). St. Hermogius was captured by the Moors and taken to Córdoba (southern Spain), but was later freed. His nephew, St. Pelagius (vide infra), who was captured as well, was kept as a prisoner. St. Hermogius reposed circa 942.
JOHN and PAUL of ROME, (Date Unknown), two Martyrs who suffered in Rome.
MAXENTIUS (MAIXENT) of POITOU, a monk at a monastery in Poitou (west-central France), now called Saint-Maixent, where he later served as Abbot. He was held in high esteem by the local population, whom he protected from the invading barbarians. St. Maxentius reposed in 515.
PELAGIUS (PELAYO) of CÓRDOBA, a youth and nephew of St. Hermogius of Tuy (vide supra). St. Pelagius was captured by the Moors with his uncle, but was not freed with him. He was offered freedom and other rewards only if he would accept Islam. For three years he steadfastly refused to renounce the True Faith, finally he was tortured, which he endured for six hours before finally reposing in 925. His relics were translated to León (Spain) in 967, and Oviedo (Spain) in 985.
PERSEVERANDA (PECINNA, PEZAINE) of POITIERS, a holy virgin from Spain who, with her sisters Macrina and Columba, travelled to Poitiers (western France) where they founded a convent. While fleeing from a robber, circa 726, Perseveranda died at a place now called, Sainte-Pezaine, after her.
SALVIUS and SUPERIUS, Salvius was a bishop near Angouleme in France who was sent to Valenciennes (northern France) to enlighten the Flemish. A local noble took exception to his mission, and circa 768 murdered St. Salvius. He was hastily buried beneath a martyred companion. When the relics were discovered his anonymous companion was found first and thus called Superius (Above).
VIGILIUS of TRENT, a Roman noble who studied in Athens, and then settled, circa 380, in the area of Trent (north-eastern Italy). He was chosen by the locals to serve as the first Bishop of Trent in 387, and he more or less succeeded in uprooting paganism from his See. St. Vigilius was stoned to death in the nearby Val di Rendena for overturning a statue of Saturn, 405.
Also available from your favourite e-bookstore!
9th July N.S.
AGILULPH (AGIGULF, AGIGULFUS) of COLOGNE, (Eighth Century), the information extant on the life of St. Agilulph is based upon a Life written by a monk at the Abbey of Stavelot-Malmédy. The pre-eminent hagiographic scholars of the Société des Bollandistes reprint the information from this Life — with the caveat that it is far from reliable. It is believed that after receiving his education at the Abbey of Stavelot-Malmédy, St. Agilulph received monastic tonsure there and later served as its Abbot. He earned the enmity of Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia Charles Martel (†741), for having counselled against the succession going to Charles Martel. St. Agilulph's violent martyrdom soon after Charles Martel assumed power is generally believed to have been in retribution.
AGRIPPINUS of AUTUN, an early sixth century Bishop of Autun (Saône-et-Loire, France). Little is known of his life, other than he ordained St. Germanus of Paris (28th May) to the diaconate and the priesthood, and he is listed as an attendee at the Second (June 533) and Third (May 538) Councils of Orléans. St. Agrippinus reposed in 538.
ANATOLIA and AUDAX of THORA, St. Anatolia was a Roman maiden, denounced as a Christian by a rejected suitor. She was banished from Rome and settled near Rieti in central Italy. However, her wonderworking drew attention and she was soon arrested and subjected to torture. St. Audax was one of her gaolers and was converted by her. They were martyred on the same day in 250.
ANDREW, BARNABAS, BENEDICT, and JUSTUS, Four Holy Polish Brothers, four brothers born in Poland who lived as monks and/or hermits. They reposed in 1008. Nothing more is known of their lives.
BRICTIUS of MARTOLA, the information extant on St. Brictius is of questionable reliability. According to tradition he was a Bishop of Martola near Spoleto in Umbria who was imprisoned during the Diocletianic Persecution. Miraculously he managed to escape, and was able to continue his ministry, living to 312, when he reposed of natural causes.
EVERILDIS (AVERIL) of EVERINGHAM, a holy maiden from the south of England, St. Everildis was baptised by St. Birinus of Dorchester (3rd December). After receiving monastic tonsure, she went north to Yorkshire, settling at a place now known as Everingham. There St. Everildis founded a monastery which grew to a company of eighty nuns. St. Everildis reposed circa 700.
GOLVINUS (GOLWEN) of LÉON, (Seventh Century), a native of Britain, who apparently went to Brittany (north-western France). There his reputation for holiness led to him being chosen Bishop of St. Pol-de-Léon (now part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quimper). St. Golvinus reposed at Rennes in Brittany where his relics were subsequently enshrined.
← Previous Post Following Post →