Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome

Gerontius May 9 c 501. Bishop of Cervia near Ravenna in Italy, he was murdered in Cagli on the Flaminian Way, which led to him being honoured as a martyr.

Macartan (Macartin, Maccarthen) March 24 + c 505. An early disciple and companion of St Patrick of Ireland, who consecrated him Bishop of Clogher.

Eugene, Salutaris, Muritta and Companions July 13 + 505. Eugene became Bishop of Carthage in North Africa in 481 but was soon afterwards expelled by the Arian Vandals with many of his flock, some of them mere boys. They were exiled to the desert of Tripoli, where they suffered greatly. In 488 they were allowed to return to Carthage, but Eugene was exiled again eight years later and reposed at Albi in Italy. All the above are considered to be martyrs because of their sufferings.

Optatian July 14 + c 505. Bishop of Brescia in Italy c 451-505.

Principius Sept 25 + c 505. The elder brother of St Remigius of Rheims. He became Bishop of Soissons in France.

Illtyd (Illtut) Nov 6 + c 505. One of the most famous saints in Wales. He became a monk with St Cadoc and later founded the monastery of Lian-IlItut or Llantwit, from where came most of the Welsh saints of that period. By tradition he reposed in Brittany.

Paulinus (Polin, Pewlin, Paulhen) Nov 23 + c 505 (?) An abbot in Wales and disciple of St Illtyd, he founded the monastery of Whitland where St David and St Teilo were among his disciples.

Vigilius Sept 26 + c 506. Bishop of Brescia in Lombardy in Italy.

Gratus Oct 11 + c 506. The first bishop of Oloron in the south of France.

Severinus Feb 11 + ? 507. A Burgundian who became the Abbot of Agaunum in Switzerland.

Aprus (Aper, Apre, Epvre, Evre) Sept 15 + 507. Born near Trier in Germany, he became a very able and just lawyer. He gave up this profession to become a priest and in time became Bishop of Toul in France.

Ursus July 30 + 508. A hermit at the church of St Amator in Auxerre in France, he was made bishop of that city when he was aged seventy-five.

Gerontius (Geraint) Aug 10 + ? 508. A Briton who was King of Damnonia (Devon), now in England. He fell in battle against the pagan Saxons.

Eugendus (Oyend) Jan 1 450-c 510. Fourth Abbot of Condat in France, called Saint-Oyend after him and later Saint-Claude. He became a monk at the age of seven and lived there until his repose.

Contestus Jan 19 + c 510. Bishop of Bayeux in France from 480 on.

Brieuc (Briocus, Brioc) May 1 c 420-510. Born in Dyfed in Wales, he went to Brittany where he founded two monasteries, one near Tréguier and the other in what is now St Brieuc. He is also venerated in Cornwall.

Pabo Nov 9 + c 510. After life as a soldier in Scotland, he came to Wales and in Anglesey founded the monastery later called Llanbabon after him.

Maximus Jan 8 + 511. Bishop of Pavia in Italy, he attended Councils in Rome under Pope Symmachus.

Eugyppius Jan 15 + c 511. Born in North Africa, he was ordained priest at Rome and was a companion of St Severinus of Noricum in Austria, whose Life he wrote.

Bron June 8 + c 511. A disciple of St Patrick and Bishop of Cassel-Irra near Sligo in Ireland.

Solemnis (Soleine) Sept 25 + c 511. Bishop of Chartres in France c 490-511.

Stephen of Lyons Feb 13 + 512. Bishop of Lyons in France, he was active in converting the Arian Burgundians to Orthodoxy.

Falco Feb 20 + 512. Bishop of Maastricht in Holland from 495 on.

Paschasius May 31 + c 512. A deacon in Rome who wrote theological works.

Spes March 28 + c 513. An Abbot of Campi in central Italy. He was totally blind for forty years, but fifteen days before his repose his eyesight was restored.

Dubtach Oct 7 + c 513. Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland from 497 to c 513.

Gildard (Godard) June 8 + 514. Bishop of Rouen in France for some fifteen years.

Symmachus July 19 + 514. Born in Sardinia, he became Pope of Rome in 498. Energetic and competent, despite the activities and accusations of enemies, he built many churches in Rome.

Macanisius Sept 3 + 514. By tradition he was baptised as an infant by St Patrick, who later consecrated him bishop. He also founded a monastery, probably in Kells.

Gibrian May 8 + c 515. A hermit in Ireland, the eldest of five brothers and three sisters. All of them went to Brittany and became saints there. Their names are given as Tressan, Helan, Germanus, Abran (or Gibrian), Petran, Franca, Promptia and Possenna.

Heraclius of Sens June 8 + c 515. The fourteenth Bishop of Sens in France. He was present in the Cathedral in Rheims at the baptism of Clovis and built the monastery of St John the Evangelist in Sens.

Maxentius (Maixent) June 26 c 448-515. Born in Agde in the south of France, he became a monk at a monastery in Poitou, now called after him Saint-Maixent, where he later became abbot. He was highly esteemed by the local population whom he protected from the invading barbarians.

Marianus Aug 19 + c 515. A hermit in the forest of Entreaigues in Berry in France. His life was written by St Gregory of Tours.

Hywyn Jan 6 + 516. Probably a companion of St Cadfan on his return journey from Brittany to Cornwall and Wales. By tradition he founded Aberdaron in Gwynedd.

Theodosius July 17 + 516. Bishop of Auxerre in France c 507-516.

Beoadh (Beatus) March 8 + c 518. Bishop of Ardcarne in Roscommon in Ireland.

Eustorgius June 6 + 518. He became Bishop of Milan in Italy in 512 and spent large amounts of money paying the ransoms of many of his flock who had been taken prisoner by barbarians.

Monenna (or Darerca) July 6 + 518. An ascetic and Abbess of Sliabh Cuillin in Ireland.

Conleth May 4 + c 519. A hermit in Old Connell on the River Liffey in Ireland. St Brigid came to know him and he became the spiritual father of her nuns at Kildare, of which he became the first bishop. He was a metalworker and very skilled as a copyist and illuminator.

Aventinus of Chartres Feb 4 + c 520. Bishop of Chartres in France, he succeeded his brother, St Solemnis.

Avitus of Vienne Feb 5 + c 520. Born in Auvergne in France, he was the brother of St Apollinaris, Bishop of Valence. Their father St Isychius, a Roman senator, had also been Bishop of Vienne. Avitus succeeded him. As a bishop he commanded the respect of his flock, both of the pagan Franks and the Arian Burgundians. He converted the Burgundian King, Sigismund. St Avitus was also a fine writer.

Enodoch (Wenedoc) March 7 + c 520. A saint in Wales.

Constantius Sept 1 + c 520. Bishop of Aquino in Italy.

Emilian Sept 11 + 520. A hermit for forty years, he became Bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont in Italy where he reposed a centenarian.

Albaud (Aladius) Oct 1 + c 520. Bishop of Toul in France. He built the church of St Aper (Epvre) who was his predecessor.

Apollinaris (Aiplonay) Oct 5 + c 520. Elder brother of St Avitus of Vienne in France, he became Bishop of Valence.

Clether (Cleer, Clydog, Scledog, Clitanus or Cleodius) Oct 23 + c 520. He left Wales and went to Cornwall. He is recalled by several church dedications, for instance St Clear near Liskeard.

Terence of Metz Oct 29 + 520. Sixteenth Bishop of Metz in the east of France.

Pragmatius Nov 22 + c 520. Bishop of Autun in France.

Maximinus (Mesmin) Dec 15 + c 520. First Abbot of Micy near Orleans in France.

Antony of Lérins Dec 28 + c 520. Born in Lower Pannonia, he served God as a hermit in several places north of the Alps until he found rest for the last two years of his life as a monk at Lérins in France.

Ennodius July 17 473-521. Magnus Felix Ennodius was a Gallo-Roman who became Bishop of Pavia in Italy. He was entrusted with two missions to Constantinople in connection with the Eutychian controversy. An Orthodox poet, his hymns are very edifying.

Buithe (Buite, Boethius) Dec 7 + 521. After some years in Italy and elsewhere, he returned to Scotland and helped enlighten the Picts. Carbuddo is named after him.

Verecundus Oct 22 + 522. Bishop of Verona in Italy.

Blath (Flora) Jan 29 + 523. A cook at St Brigid's convent in Kildare where she was honoured as a holy woman.

Sigismund May 1 + 523. A Vandal by origin and by character, he was King of the Burgundians in what is now eastern France. He repented for his sins by giving generously to the Church and the poor. He was murdered near the monastery of Agaunum in Switzerland which he had built and was then honoured as a martyr.

Hormisdas Aug 6 + 523. Born in Frosinone in Latium in Italy, he succeeded St Symmachus as Pope of Rome in 514. He is best remembered for the confession of Faith called the Formula of Hormisdas, which helped end Monophysitism. His son, St Silverius, became Pope of Rome in 536.

Ambrose Nov 2 523 and 582. There were two abbots of this name at the monastery of Agaunum in Switzerland.

Darlugdach (Dardulacha, Derlugdach) Feb 1 + c 524. Successor of St Brigid as second Abbess of Kildare in Ireland.

Viventiolus July 12 + 524. A monk at St Oyend in France who became Archbishop of Lyons. He was close to St Avitus of Vienne.

Severinus Boethius Oct 23 c 480-524. The statesman and philosopher Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius was the author of De Consolatione Philosophiae. About the year 534 he fell into disfavour with the barbarian king and was martyred at Pavia in Italy. His relics are enshrined at the Cathedral of Pavia.

Brigid (Bridget, Bride) Feb 1 c 450-c 525. Born in Faughart near Dundalk, she became a nun when still young and founded a convent in Kildare, the first in Ireland. Her life is associated with mercy and pity for the poor. A greatly venerated saint, she is the second patron-saint of Ireland after St Patrick.

Deodatus (Dié) Apr 24 + c 525. A hermit near Blois in France. Later the town of Saint-Dié grew up around his cell.

Camelian July 28 + c 525. Successor of St Lupus as Bishop of Troyes in France from 478 to c 525.

Magnus Nov 5 + 525. Archbishop of Milan in Italy from 520 to 525.

Vitonus (Vanne, Vaune) Nov 9 + c 525. Bishop of Verdun in the north of France c 500-525. A monastery in Lorraine was later dedicated to him.

Silvester Nov 20 + c 525. Bishop of Châlons-sur-Saône in France from c 484 to c 525. St Gregory of Tours describes him as 'the glory of confessors'.

John I May 18 + 526. Born in Tuscany, he became Pope of Rome in 523. In 526 he went to Constantinople as an envoy of Theodoric, the Arian King of the Ostrogoths. On his return Theodoric imprisoned the Pope and he died.

Florentius of Orange Oct 17 + c 526. The eighth Bishop of Orange in the south of France.

Nebridius Feb 9 + c 527. Bishop of Egara near Barcelona in Spain, a city since destroyed.

Justus of Urgell May 28 + c 527. The first recorded Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia in Spain. He wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs.

Quintian Nov 13 + c 527. Born in North Africa, he fled to France to escape the Arian-Vandal persecution. Eventually he became Bishop of Rodez, but was exiled by the Arian Visigoths. He went to Auvergne where he succeeded St Euphrasius as Bishop of Clermont.

Turibius of Palencia Apr 16 + c 528. Founder of the monastery of Liébana in Asturias in Spain.

Constantine Apr 12 + 529. The first Bishop of Gap in France.

Sezni Aug 4 + c 529. Born in Britain, he went to Guic-Sezni in Brittany, where he founded a monastery and where his relics were venerated. He is the patron saint of Sithney in Cornwall.

Caesaria Jan 12 + c 530. The gifted sister of St Caesarius of Arles and abbess of the convent founded there by her brother.

Cannera (Cainder, Kinnera) Jan 28 + c 530. A holy virgin who lived as an anchoress near Bantry in Ireland. She reposed after visiting St Senan and receiving communion. She was buried on St Senan's island off Enniscorthy.

Severus Feb 15 + c 530. A priest from the Abruzzi in Italy. St Gregory the Great relates that he brought a dead man back to life so that he could receive communion and unction.

Kieran (Kieman, Kyran, Ciaran) March 5 + c 530. Called 'the first-born of the saints of Ireland'. Born in Ossory, he was probably consecrated bishop by St Patrick and has been venerated from time immemorial as the first Bishop of Ossory and founder of the monastery of Saighir.

Enda (Endeus, Enna) March 21 + c 530. Brother of St Fanchea, he was the earliest founder of monasteries in Ireland, of which the main one was on Inishmore. Sts Kieran and Brendan were among his disciples.

Martius Apr 13 + c 530. Born in Auvergne in France, he lived an ascetic life on a mountainside and later built a monastery for his disciples.

Avitus (Avy) June 17 + c 530. First of all a monk at Menat in Auvergne in France, then Abbot of Micy near Orleans, and finally a hermit in the Perche, where he was forced by his numerous disciples to build and become abbot of a new monastery.

Optatus Aug 31 + c 530. Bishop of Auxerre in France.

Felix III Sept 22 + 530. As Pope of Rome he is remembered for building the church of Sts Cosmas and Damian. He was greatly loved in Rome for his simplicity and generosity to the poor.

Valens July 26 + 531. Bishop of Verona in Italy from 524 to 531.

Fulgentius Jan 1 + 532. Born in North Africa, he became a monk early in life and was elected abbot. He had to flee from the Vandal persecution. In 502 or 507 he was chosen Bishop of Ruspe but was again exiled by the Vandals. He spent his exile in Sardinia where he wrote numerous works which still exist. He returned to Africa in 523.

Eleutherius of Tournai Feb 20 + 532. Born in Tournai in Belgium, he became bishop there in 486 and enlightened the pagan Franks who had settled nearby. He died from wounds inflicted by Arian heretics.

Ecclesius July 27 + 532. Bishop of Ravenna in Italy from 52l till 532. He began building San Vitale, where there is still a mosaic of him.

Theodoric (Thierry, Theodericus) July 1 + c 533. Abbot of Mont d'Or near Rheims in the north of France.

Remigius Oct 1 + c 533 (Jan 13). Called 'the Apostle of the Franks'. A Gallo-Roman by birth, in 459 he was chosen to be Bishop of Rheims in France when he was still a layman. During the seventy-four years he was bishop he was the most influential prelate in Gaul, the culminating event of his life being the baptism of Clovis, King of the Franks, in 496.

Laetus Nov 5 + 533. A monk at the age of twelve, he is honoured near Orleans in France, his relics enshrined in the village of St Lié.

Portianus Nov 24 + 533. A slave who became a monk and then Abbot of Miranda in Auvergne in France. He confronted the Merovingian King and obtained the freedom of Auvergnat prisoners.

Trojan (Troyen) Nov 30 + 533. A priest in Saintes in France where he later became bishop after St Vivien.

Melanius (Melaine) Jan 6 + c 535. Born in Brittany, he was Bishop of Rennes and succeeded in overcoming idolatry in his diocese.

Donatus Aug 19 + c 535. Born in Orleans in France, he lived as a hermit on Mt Jura near Sisteron in Provence.

Victor of Vita Aug 23 + c 535 Born in Carthage in North Africa, he was either bishop there or in Utica.

Hilary of Mende Oct 25 + 535. Born in Mende in the south of France, he received baptism, became a hermit on the banks of the Tarn, a monk at Lérins, and finally Bishop of Mende.

Simplicius of Verona Nov 20 + c 535. Bishop of Verona in Italy.

Titian March 3 + c 536. Germanic by birth, he became Bishop of Brescia in Italy.

Agapitus I Sept 20 and April 22 (In the East Apr 17) + 536. Born in Rome, he was elected Pope of Rome in May 535 and reposed in Constantinople on April 22 536. As Pope he showed great strength of character in opposing Monophysitism. His relics were brought back to Rome on Sept 20, when he was commemorated a second time.

Pomponius Apr 30 + 536. Bishop of Naples in Italy (508-536). He was a strong opponent of Arianism.

Carilefus (Carilephus, Carileff, Calais) July 1 + c 536. A companion of St Avitus. He founded the monastery of Anisole in Maine in France.

Fortunatus of Todi Oct 14 + 537. A Bishop of Todi in Italy, who saved the city from being sacked by Totila the Goth.

Fortunatus Oct 15 + ? 537. A martyr in Rome.

Vigor Nov 1 + c 537. A disciple of St Vedast who became Bishop of Bayeux in France. Before this he had been a hermit, then a priest. He resolutely opposed paganism.

Silverius Dec 2 + c 537. Born in Frosinone in Campania in Italy, he was the son of Pope Hormisdas. He was a subdeacon when elected Bishop of Rome. He was hated by the Empress Theodora for objecting to the Monophysite Bishop Anthimus. Condemned for high treason, he was finally exiled to an island off Naples where he was left to die and perhaps martyred.

Aventinus of Troyes Feb 4 + c 538. Born in central France, he acted as almoner to St Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, until he left to live as a hermit. The place where he lived is now called Saint-Aventin.

Agrippinus July 9 + 538. Bishop of Autun in France, he ordained St Germanus of Paris to the deaconate and the priesthood.

Gregory of Langres Jan 4 + 539. A governor of Autun in France. Later in life he lost his wife, was ordained priest and became Bishop of Langres, gaining a reputation for gentleness and understanding. He was the father of St Tetricus and the great-uncle of St Gregory of Tours.

John of Reomay (Réomé) Jan 28 425-539. Born in Dijon in France, he became a hermit in Reomay. When disciples gathered around him, he fled and became a monk at Lérins. Here he learnt the traditions of St Macarius and on his return to Reomay, he and the monastery he founded there lived according to them.

Vedast (Vaast, Vaat, Gaston, Foster) Feb 6 + 539. He preached with St Remigius to convert the Franks. He was Bishop of Arras-Cambrai in the north of France for nearly forty years. He instructed King Clovis for baptism, built churches and cared for the poor.

Justin of Chieti Jan 1 + c ? 540. Venerated from time immemorial in Chienti in Italy, he was bishop of that city.

Carthage the Elder March 5 + c 540. The successor of St Kieran as Bishop of Ossory in Ireland.

Fridolin March 6 + c 540. Born in Ireland, he became a monk at Luxeuil in France. Later he founded the monastery of Sackingen and is venerated as the Apostle of the Upper Rhine in Germany.

Senan (Senames) March 8 + c 540 A monk in Kilmanagh in Ireland. Having founded a monastery, probably in Enniscorthy, he is said to have visited Rome and on his way home stayed with St David in Wales. On his return to Ireland he founded more churches and monasteries, notably one in Iniscarra near Cork. Finally he settled on Scattery Island in the Shannon estuary where he was buried.

Pantagathus Apr 17 475-540. A courtier who later became Bishop of Vienne in France.

Fidolus (Phal) May 16 + c 540. The son of an official in Auvergne in France. Taken prisoner and sold into slavery, he was ransomed by Aventinus, Abbot of Aumont near Troyes. Later Fidolus himself became abbot there, which was called Saint-Phal after him.

Berthaldus (Bertaud) June 16 + c 540. A hermit in the Ardennes in France, he was ordained priest by St Remigius.

Equitius Aug 11 + c 540. He founded a number of monasteries in the province of Valeria in Italy.

Lupus of Soissons Oct 19 + c 540. A nephew of St Remi of Rheims who became Bishop of Soissons in France.

Severinus Nov 27 + c 540. A hermit who lived near Paris in France.

Siffred (Siffrein, Syffroy, Suffredus) Nov 27 + c 540. Born in Albano near Rome, he became a monk at Lérins and later Bishop of Carpentras in the south of France.

Gregory of Auxerre Dec 19 + c 540. The twelfth bishop of Auxerre in France. He was bishop for thirteen years and reposed at the age of eighty-five.

Leo of Sens Apr 22 + 541. Bishop of Sens in France for twenty-three years.

Gallicanus June 25 + c 541. The fifth Bishop of Embrun in France.

Leontius the Elder Aug 21 + c 541. Bishop of Bordeaux in France and the predecessor of St Leontius the Younger.

Proculus July 12 + 542 Bishop of Bologna in Italy (540-542), martyred by the Goths.

Lupus of Lyons Sept 25 + 542. A monk at a monastery near Lyons in France who became Archbishop there. He suffered much in the troubles which followed the death of St Sigismund, King of Burgundy.

Proculus Dec 1 + c 542. Bishop of Narni or Terni in Italy, martyred by Totila, King of the Goths.

Scholastica Feb 10 c 480-c 543. Sister of St Benedict. She became a nun and lived near Montecassino. St Gregory in his Dialogues (2,33), says that St Benedict saw her soul ascend to heaven in the semblance of a dove.

Victorinus June 8 + 543. Brother of St Severino, Bishop of San Severino in Italy, with whom he lived as a hermit near Ancona.

Caesarius of Arles Aug 27 470-543. Born in Châlon-sur-Saône in France, he became a monk at Lérins when young and then Bishop of Arles. He presided several Councils and founded a convent afterwards called after him at Arles, where his sister St Caesaria became abbess. He was zealous for decorum in liturgy and excelled as a preacher. His homilies still exist. During the distress caused by the siege of Arles in 508, he sold the treasures of his church to help the poor

Laurianus July 4 + ? c 544. Born in Pannonia, now Hungary, he was ordained deacon in Milan in Italy and later became Archbishop of Seville in Spain. He was martyred in Bourges in France.

Venantius Aug 5 + 544. The most famous of the ancient bishops of Viviers in France.

Paulinus of Brescia Apr 29 + c 545. Bishop of Brescia in Italy (c 524-545). His relics are enshrined in the church of San Pietro in Oliveto.

Maden (Madern, Madron) May 17 + c 545. A hermit born in Cornwall, he later lived in Brittany. Many churches are dedicated to him, the most noted being at St Madern's Well in Cornwall, the reputed site of his hermitage and still a place of pilgrimage.

Clotilde June 3 c 474-545. Born in Lyons in France and daughter of the King of Burgundy, she married Clovis, King of the Franks, and led her husband to Orthodox Christianity. She suffered much because of the quarrels of her three sons.

Regulus Sept 1 + c 545. Born in North Africa, he was exiled by the Arian Vandals. He landed in Tuscany in Italy and was martyred under Totila.

Germanus of Capua Oct 30 + c 545. Bishop of Capua and a friend of St Benedict. He went to Constantinople to heal the Acacian schism but met with ill-treatment at the hands of the Acacians. St Benedict saw his soul being carried to heaven.

Dubricius (Dubric, Dyfrig) Nov 14 + c 545. One of the founders of monastic life in Wales. His main monastic centres were at Henllan and Moccas. However, he founded many other monasteries in Gwent and in England in what is now Herefordshire and the Wye Valley. He had jurisdiction over Caldey Island where he appointed St Samson abbot and later consecrated him bishop. A late tradition makes him Archbishop of Caerleon. He reposed on the Isle of Bardsey.

Vincent of Troyes Feb 4 + c 546. Bishop of Troyes in France c 536-546.

Laurence of Siponto Feb 7 + c 546. Called Majoranus. Bishop of Siponto in Italy from 492, he built the church of St Michael on Mt Gargano.

Licerius (Lizier) Aug 27 + c 548. Born in Spain, probably in Lérida (Ilerda), he went to France and in 506 became Bishop of Couserans.

Columba Dec 12 + 548. Born in Leinster in Ireland, he was a disciple of St Finian and Abbot of Tyrdaglas in Munster.

Herculanus Nov 7 and March 1 + 549. Bishop of Perugia in Italy, beheaded by soldiers of Totila of the Ostrogoths.

Tigernach (Tigernake, Tierney, Tierry) Apr 4 + 549. Abbot of Clones, he succeeded St Macartin as Bishop at Clogher in Ireland.

Melan June 15 + c 549. Bishop of Viviers in France from 519 on.

Arcadius Aug 1 + c 549. Bishop of Bourges in France, he took part in the Council of Orleans in 538.

Finian of Clonard Dec 12 + c 549. Born in Myshall in Co. Carlow, he became a monk in Wales. After a long stay there, he returned to Ireland and founded many churches and monasteries. Clonard was the greatest and it was here that Finian had as disciples many of the so-called 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland', among whom was St Columba. Finian indeed became known as the 'Teacher of the Irish Saints'.

Triverius Jan 16 + 550. Born in Neustria, he showed spiritual sensitivity from childhood. He lived as a hermit near the monastery of Thérouanne until he moved to Dombes. The village of Saint Trivier in France commemorates his name.

Tressan (Trésain) Feb 7 + 550. A missionary from Ireland, he was ordained priest by St Remigius and preached in Mareuil on the Marne in France.

Modomnock (Domnoc, Dominic) Feb 13 + c 550. A disciple of St David in Wales and later a hermit in Tibraghny in Ireland.

Benedict July 11 (In the East March 14) c 480-550. Born near Nursia in Umbria in central Italy, at the age of twenty he went to live as a hermit in a cave near Subiaco. Many disciples flocked to him and he built a laura, composed of twelve small monasteries for them. About the year 530 he left Subiaco for Montecassino, where he founded a monastery and where he lived the rest of his life as a deacon and famed as a wonderworker. He reposed while standing in prayer before the altar. Some relics of St Benedict were later translated to France but others remained at Montecassino.

Benedict of Campania March 23 + c 550. A hermit in the Campagna in Italy who was miraculously delivered from death by burning at the hands of Totila the Goth.

Isaac Apr 11 + c 550. A Syrian monk who fled from the Monophysite persecution and founded a monastery in Monteluco near Spoleto. He was one of the restorers of ascetic life in 6th century Italy.

Theodore of Bologna May 5 + c 550. Bishop of Bologna in Italy c 530-c 550.

Injuriosus and Scholastica May 25 + c 550. A married couple in the Auvergne in France who lived in virginity and holiness.

Leo of Troyes May 25 + c 550. A monk who succeeded St Romanus as Abbot of Mantenay near Troyes in France.

Liphardus (Lifard) June 3 + c 550. A prominent lawyer in Orleans in France, at the age of fifty he founded the monastery of Meung-sur-Loire.

Jarlath June 6 + c 550. First Bishop of Tuam in Connaught in Ireland, where he established a monastery of which St Brendan of Clonard and St Colman of Cloyne were monks.

Severinus June 8 + 550. Bishop of Septempeda, now called after him Sanseverino in the Marches of Ancona in Italy. He and his brother Victorinus distributed their wealth among the poor and became hermits at Montenero. They were forced by Pope Vigilius to become bishops, the former of Septempeda, the latter of Camerino. Severinus reposed shortly before Septempeda was destroyed by the Ostrogoth Totila.

Aurelian June 16 + c 550. He became Bishop of Arles in France in 546. He founded two monastic houses, one for monks and one for nuns, and drew up for each a rule, based on that of St Caesarius.

Herculanus of Brescia Aug 12 + c 550. Bishop of Brescia in Italy.

Armagillus (Armel) Aug 16 + c 550. Born in the south of Wales, he was a cousin of St Samson. A church in Cornwall was dedicated to him - St Erme. He went to Brittany and founded Saint-Armel-des-Boscheaux and Plou-Ermel (Ploermel).

Silvinus Sept 12 + c 550. Bishop of Verona in Italy

Nectarius Sept 13 + c 550. Bishop of Autun in France and a friend of St Germanus of Paris.

Galla Oct 5 + c 550. A lady in Rome who, as a widow, led the life of an anchoress on the Vatican Hill, where she died of breast cancer.

Guenhael Nov 3 + c 550. Guenhael was born in Brittany and became a monk at Landevennec with St Winwalöe where he later became abbot.

Sacerdos Sept 12 + 551. Bishop of Lyons 544-551. He presided over the Council of Orleans in 549.

Datius Jan 14 + 552. Bishop of Milan in Italy. His diocese was overrun by Arian Ostrogoths and he had to flee to Constantinople where he spent the rest of his life.

Aaron June 22 + c 552. Probably born in Wales, he went to Brittany and lived as a hermit at what is now St Malo. Later he was joined by disciples, among them St Malo, and he became their abbot.

Anastasius Aug 17 + c 553. Bishop of Terni in Italy.

Firminus of Uzès Oct 11 + 553. Born in Narbonne in the south of France, he became Bishop of Uzès.

Theodosius Feb 14 + 554. Bishop of Vaison in France and predecessor of St Quinidius.

Albinus (Aubin) March 1 + c 554. Born in Vannes in Brittany. A monk and Abbot of Tincillac, he then became Bishop of Angers in France (c 529-554). He played an important role at the third Council of Orleans (538). The monastery of Saint-Aubin in Angers was dedicated to him. Saint-Aubin de Moeslain (Haute Maine) is also a place of pilgrimage.

Ramirus and Companions March 13 + c 554 (or 630). A monk at the monastery of St Claudio in Leon in Spain. Two days after the abbot, St Vincent, was martyred, Ramirus and all the other monks were martyred by the Arian Visigoths while they sang the Creed..

Victor Apr 2 + 554. Bishop of Capua in the south of Italy and a Church writer.

Gall July 1 c 489-554. Born in Auvergne in France, he became a monk and was ordained deacon by St Quintian, Bishop of Clermont. He was the uncle and teacher of St Gregory of Tours.

Vincent of León Sept 11 + c 554 ? Abbot of St Claudius in León in Spain. He was martyred by the Arian Visigoths.

Victor Oct 17 + 554. Consecrated Bishop of Capua in Italy in 541 and a prolific writer.

Maurus (Marius, May) Jan 27 + c 555. Founder of a monastery in Bodon in France.

Speciosus March 15 + c 555. A wealthy landowner from Campania in Italy who became a monk at Montecassino with his brother Gregory. He was attached to the new foundation at Terracina but reposed in Capua.

Genebald of Laon Sept 5 + c 555. Bishop of Laon in France and a relative of St Remigius. He did seven years' penance for a sin he had committed.

Maximian of Ravenna Feb 22 + c 556. Consecrated Bishop of Ravenna in Italy in 546, he built the basilica of St Vitalis, which was dedicated in the presence of the Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. Holding a jewelled cross, he is depicted in mosaics standing next to the Emperor.

Kieran (Kyran) Sept 9 + c 556 (?). Called 'The Younger'. He was born in Connacht, and was trained in the monastic life by St Finian of Clonard, one of the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland'. He later founded Clonmacnois in West Meath and gave his monks an ascetic rule, 'The Law of Kieran'.

Leobinus (Lubin) Sept 15 + c 556. Born near Poitiers in France, he was the son of a peasant. Early in life he became a hermit, then a priest, Abbot of Brou and finally Bishop of Chartres.

Marculf May 1 + 558. The founder of a monastery of hermits on the Egyptian model in Nanteuil in France.

Hilary May 15 + 558. A hermit near the River Ronco in Italy. Joined by others, he built the monastery called Galeata, later known as Sant'Ilaro.

Medard June 8 c 470-c 558. Born in Picardy in the north of France, he was ordained at the age of thirty-three. In 530 he became Bishop of Vermand, later Noyon and then Tournai in Belgium.

Cassius of Narni June 29 + 558. Bishop of Narni in Italy.

Innocent June 19 + 559. Bishop of Le Mans in France for over forty years.

Leonard of Noblac Nov 6 ? + c 559. A French courtier converted by St Remi of Rheims in France. On the advice of that saint, St Leonard went to live in the monastery of Micy near Orleans and later he became a hermit in a neighbouring forest, now called Noblac.

Aspasius Jan 2 + c 560. Bishop of Auch in France, he took part in the Councils of Orleans in 533, 541 and 549, besides holding a Council in Auch in 551.

Victorian of Asan Jan 12 + c 560. Born in Italy, he went to France and founded Asan (called San Victorian after him) in the Pyrenees in Spain.

Kessog (Mackessog) March 10 + c 560. Born in Cashel in Tipperary in Ireland, even as a child he is said to have worked miracles. He became a missionary and preached in Scotland, where he became a bishop. According to one tradition he was martyred at Bandry. He is the patron-saint of Lennox.

Finian March 16 + ? c 560. A disciple of St Columba and Abbot of Swords near Dublin in Ireland.

Sacerdos May 5 + c 560. A saint venerated in Murviedro in Spain and said to have been bishop there.

Domitian May 7 + c 560. Bishop of Maastricht in Holland and Apostle of the Meuse valley. His relics were venerated at Huy.

Germerius May 16 + ? 560. Bishop of Toulouse in France for fifty years.

Romanus of Subiaco May 22 + c 560. A monk who lived near Subiaco in Italy, discovered the hermitage of St Benedict, made him a monk and gave him his daily food.

Himerius June 17 + c 560. Born in Calabria in Italy, he became a monk and then Bishop of Ameila in Umbria. He is described as a great ascetic. In 995 his relics were translated to Cremona where he is one of the main patron-saints.

Constantine July 21 + c 560. A disciple and the first successor of St Benedict at Montecassino in Italy.

Clodoaldus (Cloud) Sept 7 + c 560. Grandson of King Clovis and St Clotilde, he became a priest and hermit. He founded the monastery of Nogent-sur-Seine, now called Saint-Cloud after him.

Almirus (Almer, Almire) Sept 11 + c 560. Born in Auvergne in France, he finally went to live as a hermit at Gréez-sur-Roc, where he reposed.

Evodius Nov 12 + c 560. Bishop of Le Puy in France.

Eleutherius Aug 16 + 561. Bishop of Auxerre in France 532-561.

Salvinus Oct 12 + 562. Bishop of Verona in Italy. His relics are enshrined in St Stephen's church there.

Paternus (Pair) Apr 16 and Sept 23 + c 574 (or 563). Born in Poitiers in France, he became a monk at Ansion and later a hermit near Coutances. Eventually he became Bishop of Avranches.

Scannal May 3 + c 563. Scannal of Cell-Coleraine in Ireland was a disciple of St Columba.

Otteran (Odhran) Oct 27 c 563. An Abbot of Meath in Ireland, he went to Scotland with St Columba and was the first to repose on Iona. His feast is kept in Ireland and he is the main patron of Waterford.

Abundius Apr 14 + c 564. A sacrist at St Peter's in Rome.

Romanus of Auxerre Oct 6 + ? 564. Bishop of Auxerre in France.

Tudwal (Tugdual) Nov 30 + c 564. A monk from Wales who went to Brittany and became Bishop of Tréguier. Three places in the Lleyn Peninsular in Gwynedd recall him and his relics are still honoured in Tréguier.

Comgan Feb 27 + c 565. Abbot of Glenthsen or Killeshin in Ireland.

Leontius the Younger July 11 c 510-565. A soldier who served against the Visigoths. He married and went to live in Bordeaux in France where he became bishop.

Samson (Sampson) July 28 c 490-c 565. Born in Wales, he became a disciple of St Illtyd at Llantwit Major and then for a time was monk and abbot of the monastery on Caldey Island. He left Caldey and visited Ireland. Then he went to Cornwall and was consecrated bishop by St Dubricius. Finally he crossed to Brittany and spent the rest of his life enlightening that country, basing himself at Dol. He was one of the greatest missionaries of his century.

Marcellinus of Ancona Jan 9 + c 566. Born in Ancona in Italy, he became bishop there in c 550.

Sabinus Feb 9 + c 566. Bishop of Canosa in Apulia in Italy and a friend of St Benedict. He was entrusted with an embassy (535-536) to the Emperor Justinian. He is the patron saint of Bari where his relics are now enshrined.

Bandaridus (Banderik, Bandery) Aug 9 + 566. Bishop of Soissons in France from 540 to 566 and founder of a monastery at Crépin. He was exiled and worked as a gardener for seven years, without making himself known. At length he was discovered and recalled.

Nicetius Dec 5 + 566. The last of the Gallo-Roman bishops of Trier in Germany, consecrated in 532. He had been a monk and abbot in his native Auvergne in France. As a bishop he withstood the cruelty of the Franks by whom he was exiled for a time. He restored discipline among the clergy, rebuilt the Cathedral and combatted heresy.

Villicus Apr 17 + 568. A very virtuous Bishop of Metz in France 543-568.

Auxanus Sept 3 + 568. Known in Milan in Italy as Sant'Ansano, he was bishop of that city, where he has always been venerated.

Lauto (Laudo, Laudus, Lô) Sept 22 + c 568. Bishop of Coutances in France for forty years (528-568). His estate became the village of Saint-Lô.

Desideratus Apr 30 + c 569. A hermit who lived in Gourdon near Châlon-sur-Saône in France.

Fortunatus the Philosopher June 18 + c 569. A bishop driven from the north of Italy by the Lombards.

Anastasius Jan 11 + c 570. A notary of the Roman church, he became monk and Abbot of Castel Sant' Elia in Italy. St Gregory the Great narrates that St Anastasius and his monks reposed, at the call of an angel, in quick succession.

Ita (Ytha, Meda) Jan 15 + c 570. She is second only to St Bridget in popular veneration in Ireland. She was born in Drum in Co. Waterford and founded the convent of Hy Conaill in Co. Limerick, attracting many to the monastic life.

Gildas the Wise Jan 29 + c 570. Born in the year the Britons defeated the Saxons at Bath, he was a disciple of St Illtyd. Towards the end of his life, he went to Brittany and lived as a hermit on the island of Rhuys. St Gildas is famous for a work on the sufferings of his homeland, De excidiis Britanniae.

Fidelis Feb 7 + c 570. Eastern by origin, he travelled to Spain with some merchants and settled in Mérida, where he became a disciple of St Paul, bishop of the city, whom he later succeeded.

Honoratus of Milan Feb 8 + 570. Appointed Bishop of Milan in Italy in 567, at a time when much trouble was caused by Arianism and the Lombard invasion. He was driven out of Milan by barbarians

Sedna March 10 + c 570. Bishop of Ossory in Ireland and a friend of St Luanus.

Consortia June 22 + ? 570. She founded a convent in France endowed by King Clotaire after she miraculously healed his dying daughter. She was venerated at Cluny.

Leonorious (Lunaire) July 1 + c 570. A son of Hoel, King of Brittany, but born in Wales and consecrated bishop by St Dyfrig. Once in Brittany, then ruled by his brother Hoel II, he founded the monastery of Pontual, near Saint Malo.

Monegundis July 2 + 570. A woman in Chartres in France who became an anchoress after the death of her two daughters. She spent most of her life near Tours.

Quintius (Quentin) Oct 4 + c 570. A citizen of Tours in France, he worked at the court of the Frankish king. The reigning queen tried to seduce him and had him assassinated at L'Indrois near Montresor.

Leonard of Vandoeuvre Oct 15 + c 570. A hermit who founded Vandoeuvre, now Saint-Leonard-aux-Bois, near Le Mans in France

Simplicius Oct 22 + c 570. A disciple of St Benedict and third Abbot of Montecassino.

Leonianus Nov 6 + c 570. Born in Pannonia, he was taken as a prisoner to France and on regaining his freedom lived as a hermit near Autun.

Constantian Dec 1 + 570. Born in Auvergne in France, he became a monk at Micy (Orleans) and founded a monastery at Javron.

Gregory of Terracina Dec 12 + c 570. A disciple of St Benedict and with his brother St Speciosus, a monk at Terracina in Italy.

Probus March 15 + c 571. Bishop of Rieti in central Italy.

Tertricus March 20 + 572. Son of St Gregory, Bishop of Langres in France, and uncle of St Gregory of Tours. He succeeded his father as Bishop of Langres in about 540.

Moloc (Molluog, Murlach, Lugaidh) June 25 + c 572. Born in Scotland, he went to Ireland and then returned to his native land as a missionary. His main work as a bishop was the enlightenment of the Hebrides. He died in Rossmarkie but his shrine was in Mortlach.

Sylvia Nov 3 + c 572. The mother of St Gregory the Great. A chapel was built in her honour over her house on the Coelian Hill in Rome.

Nicetius (Nizier) Apr 2 + 573. He became Bishop of Lyons in France in 553 and was pastor for twenty years.

Etherius July 27 + 573. Bishop of Auxerre in France.

Euphronius Aug 4 530-573. Bishop of Tours in France. He worked hard to rebuild Tours after it had been burnt down.

Brendan of Birr Nov 29 + c 573. A contemporary of St Brendan the Voyager and a disciple of St Finian at Clonard. His monastery of Birr was in Offaly in Ireland. He was a friend and advisor of St Columba, who saw the soul of St Brendan carried by angels to heaven at the moment of his repose.

Paternus (Pair) Apr 16 and Sept 23 + c 574 (or 563). Born in Poitiers in France, he became a monk at Ansion and later a hermit near Coutances. Eventually he became Bishop of Avranches.

Rusticus Oct 14 + 574. Bishop of Trier in Germany. He resigned to live at the hermitage of St Goar.

Emilian Nov 12 + 574. A poor shepherd in La Rioja in Spain, he became a hermit and was later ordained priest for the parish of Berceo. The saint, however, returned to his life as a hermit. A large number of disciples gathered around him and he became their abbot. This gave rise to the monastery of La Cogolla. In Spain he is known as San Millan de la Cogolla.

Calupan March 3 + 575. A monk at Meallet in Auvergne in France, who lived as a hermit in a cave.

Brendan the Voyager May 16 c 486-c 575 or c 583. One of the three most famous ascetics of Ireland. He was born in Kerry, becoming a disciple of St Finian at Clonard and of St Gildas at Llancarfan in Wales. He was a great founder of monasteries, especially of Clonfert. He is best known in history for his voyages and may have reached North America. St Brendan is venerated as the patron- saint of sailors.

Herveus (Hervé) June 17 + c 575. Blind from childhood, he was born in Wales but was taken when very young to Brittany. Though blind, he became Abbot of Plouvien, from where he moved with some of his monks to Lanhouarneau.

Goar July 6 + c 575. A priest from Aquitaine in France, who lived as a hermit near Oberwesel on the Rhine in Germany, now called St Goar.

Nonnosus Sept 2 + c 575. A monk at the monastery of Mt Soracte in Italy. His wonderful deeds were recorded by St Gregory the Great.

Maglorius (Maelor) Oct 24 + c 575. Maglorius was born in south Wales but went to Brittany with St Samson. Here they became abbots of two monasteries, St Samson at Dol and St Maglorius at Lammeur. St Samson became Bishop of Dol and on his repose was succeeded by St Maglorius, who finally crossed to the Channel Islands and built a monastery on Sark where he reposed.

Theodore (Theudar) Oct 29 + c 575. A priest and disciple of St Caesarius of Arles and also abbot of one of the monasteries of Vienne in France. He founded several monasteries and reposed as a hermit in the church of St Laurence in Vienne.

Laurence the Illuminator Feb 3 + 576. A Syrian driven by the Monophysite persecution to Italy, there he was ordained and founded a monastery near Spoleto. He was bishop for twenty years, but then founded the monastery of Farfa in the Sabine hills near Rome. St Laurence was renowned as a peacemaker. His title derives from his gift of healing blindness, both spiritual and physical.

Drausinus (Drausius) March 7 + c 576. Bishop of Soissons in France, he did much to encourage monasticism.

Constantine March 9 + 576. A noble of Cornwall, who after a life of vice, came to repentance in Wales and Ireland. From here he went as a missionary to Scotland, where he was put to death by thieves. Two places in Cornwall are named after him.

Germanus of Paris May 28 c 496-576. Born near Autun in France, he became an abbot and later Bishop of Paris. He healed King Childebert I and converted him from an evil life. The King built the monastery of St Vincent for him, which is now known as Saint-Germain-des-Prés. St Germanus was given the title of 'father of the poor'.

Friard and Secundel Aug 1 + c 577. Hermits on the Isle of Vindomitte near Nantes in France.

Philip of Vienne Feb 3 + c 578. Bishop of Vienne in France (c 560-578).

Quinidius Feb 15 + c 579. After living as a hermit in Aix in Provence, he became Bishop of Vaison in France.

Lombards (Martyrs under the) March 2 + c 579. A group of eighty martyrs killed by the Lombards in Campania in Italy.

Finian (Findbarr, Winnin) Sept 10 c 493-579. Born near Stangford Lough in Ireland, he became a monk in Scotland. He was the founder and first Abbot of Moville in Co. Down.

Felix of Bourges Jan 1 + c 580. Bishop of Bourges in France. He took part in the Council of Paris in 573.

Liberata Jan 18 + 580. A holy virgin in Como in Italy where with her sister St Faustina she founded the convent of Santa Margarita. Both reposed in 580. Their relics are in Como Cathedral.

Cadoc (Docus, Cathmael, Cadvaci) Jan 24 + c 580. Founder of the monastery of Llancarfan not far from Cardiff in Wales, he later lived as a hermit on an island off the coast of Vannes in Brittany. He returned to Britain and by tradition was martyred by heathen near Weedon in England.

Suranus Jan 24 + c 580. Abbot of a monastery at Sora near Caserta in Italy, who gave away all the goods of the monastery to refugees from the Lombards. When the latter arrived and found that nothing remained to plunder, they martyred Suranus on the spot.

Baldegundis Feb 10 + c 580. Abbess of Saint-Croix in Poitiers in France.

Droctoveus (Drotté) March 10 + c 580. A disciple of St Germanus of Paris, he became Abbot of St Symphorian in Autun in France. Later he was called back to Paris to be the first Abbot of St Vincent and the Holy Cross - afterwards renamed Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Agricola (Agrele, Aregle) March 17 + 580. Bishop and ascetic of Châlon-sur-Saône in France.

Martin of Braga March 20 520-580. Born in Pannonia, he became a monk in Palestine, but later went to Galicia in Spain where he preached to the pagan Suevi. He was Bishop of Mondoñedo and then of Braga. He introduced monasticism throughout north-western Spain and Portugal. Several of his writings still exist.

Hospitius May 21 + c 580. A hermit at the place now called after him, Cap-Saint-Hospice, between Villefrance and Banlieu in France. His relics were translated to Lérins.

Romula, Redempta and Herundo July 23 + c 580. Three holy virgins who lived as ascetics near the church of St Mary Major in Rome.

Elaphius Aug 19 + 580. Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne in France. He was sent as an envoy to Spain and wished to venerate the relics of St Eulalia at Merida but reposed before he reached his destination.

Maurilius Sept 3 + 580. Bishop of Cahors in France. It is recorded that he knew the whole Bible by heart.

Caletricus Sept 4 529-c 580. Born in Chartres in France he became bishop of that city after St Lubinus in c 557.

Sequanus (Seine, Sigo) Sept 19 + c 580. A monk at Réomay and founder of a monastery in Segreste near Langres in France, which was later called Saint-Seine after him.

Cerbonius Oct 10 + c 580. One of the bishops in North Africa driven from their sees by the Arian Vandals. He settled at Piombino in Tuscany in Italy and was a bishop there.

Dalmatius Nov 13 + 580. Bishop of Rodez in France from 524 to 580. He suffered greatly at the hands of the Arian King Amalric.

Ferreolus Jan 4 + 581. Born in Narbonne in France, he became Bishop of Uzès. He devoted himself in particular to converting Jews and was exiled by King Childebert on that account. He also founded a monastery.

Domnolus May 16 + 581. Abbot of the monastery of St Laurence near Paris. In 543 he became Bishop of Le Mans, where he founded many monasteries, churches and hospitals.

Eparchius (Cybar) July 1 504-581. Born in a noble family in Périgord in France, he renounced his title to become a monk at Sessac.

Tarsila Dec 24 + c 581. An aunt of St Gregory the Great, sister of St Emiliana and niece of Pope Felix. She led a life of seclusion and asceticism in her paternal home.

Cyprian Apr 21 + 582. Bishop of Brescia in Italy. His relics are enshrined in the church of San Pietro in Oliveto in Brescia.

Bonitus July 7 + c 582. Fourth Abbot of Montecassino. At this time the Lombards plundered and destroyed the monastery.

Ambrose Nov 2 523 and 582. There were two abbots of this name at the monastery of Agaunum in Switzerland.

Ruadan (Ruadhan, Rodan) Apr 15 + 584. One of the leading disciples of St Finian of Clonard, he founded the monastery of Lothra in Ireland.

Felix of Nantes July 7 + 584. A great Bishop of Nantes in France for some thirty-three years.

Salvius Sept 10 + 584. A lawyer who became a monk and abbot, then a hermit and finally Bishop of Albi in France (574-584). He died while tending the sick during an epidemic.

Deiniol (Daniel) Sept 11 + 584. First Bishop of Bangor in Wales, where the Cathedral is dedicated to him.

Dulcardus Oct 25 + 584. A monk at Micy (Saint-Mesmin) in Orleans in France and then a hermit near Bourges, where the village of Saint-Doulchard still exists.

Fanchea (Garbh) Jan 1 + c ?585. Born in Clogher in Ireland, she was the sister of St Enda. She founded a convent at Rossory in Fermanagh and was buried in Killane.

Leudomer (Lomer) Oct 2 + c 585. Bishop of Chartres in France.

Gaudiosus of Tarazona Nov 3 + c 585. A monk in Asan in the Pyrenees in Spain under St Victorian. Later he became Bishop of Tarazona..

Ursicinus Dec 20 + c 585. Bishop of Cahors in France. He is often mentioned by St Gregory of Tours.

Praetextatus (Prix) Feb 24 + 586. Bishop of Rouen in France (550-586). For his courage in denouncing the wicked, he was cruelly persecuted and exiled. Recalled seven years later, he was martyred on Easter Sunday in his own church.

Redemptus Apr 8 + 586. Bishop of Ferentini in Italy.

Hermenegild Apr 13 + 586. Son of the Visigothic King of Spain, Leovigild, he was brought up as an Arian in Seville. He became Orthodox on his marriage to the daughter of Sigebert of Austrasia, at which his father disinherited him. Hermenegild rose up in arms, was defeated, captured and refusing to give up his Faith, was martyred at the instigation of his stepmother.

Honorius of Brescia Apr 24 + c 586. A hermit near Brescia in Italy who was chosen bishop of that city (c 577).

Daig Maccairill (Dagaeus, Daganus) Aug 18 + 586. A disciple of St Finian, he founded a monastery at Inis Cain Dega (Iniskeen) in Ireland. He was both abbot and bishop.

Candida the Younger Sept 10 + ? 586. A married woman in Naples who hallowed herself as a wife and as a mother.

Hermenegild Nov 5 + 586. A monk at Salcedo in Galicia in Spain.

Cyprian Dec 9 + 586. A monk at Périgueux in France, who ended his life as a hermit on the banks of the Dordogne. St Gregory of Tours wrote the Life of St Cyprian.

Junian Aug 13 + 587. Founder of the monastery of Mairé in Poitou in France and later a hermit in Chaulnay.

Radegund Aug 13 518-587. Daughter of a pagan, she was married by force to the Frankish King Clotaire I. However, she became a nun and founded the convent of the Holy Cross at Poitiers in France where she spent the last thirty years of her life.

Frediano (Frigidanus, Frigdianus) March 18 + 588. Born in Ireland, he went on pilgrimage to Rome and settled in Italy as a hermit on Monte Pisano. In 566 he became Bishop of Lucca. He rebuilt the Cathedral after it had been burnt down by the Lombards.

Agnes of Poitiers May 13 + 588. Chosen by St Radegund to be Abbess of Holy Cross at Poitiers in France, Agnes adopted the rule of St Caesarius, handed to her by the bishop himself.

Bodagisil Dec 18 + 588. He founded and was the first abbot of a monastery on the Meuse in Belgium

Connat (Comnatan) Jan 1 + c 590. Abbess of Kildare in Ireland.

Stephen of Rieti Feb 13 + c 590. An Abbot in Rieti in Italy whom St Gregory the Great describes as 'rude of speech but of cultured life'.

Farannan Feb 15 + c 590. A disciple of St Columba at Iona in Scotland. Eventually he returned to Ireland to lead the life of a hermit at All-Farannan, now Allernan, in Sligo.

Melangell (Monacella) May 27 + c 590. A holy virgin who lived as an anchoress in Powys in Wales. Her shrine is in Pennant Melangell.

Alexander June 6 + 590. Bishop of Fiesole in Italy, he was a brave defender of the Church against the Kings of Lombardy. His opponents waylaid him and drowned him in the River Reno near Bologna.

Eleutherius Sept 6 + c 590. He is mentioned several times by St Gregory the Great as a wonderworker. He was Abbot of St Mark's in Spoleto in Italy, which he left for St Gregory's own monastery in Rome, where he lived as a monk for many years.

Palladius Oct 7 + c 590. Bishop of Saintes in France (570-c 590).

Veranus Oct 19 + 590. Born in Vaucluse in France, he became Bishop of Cavaillon.

Quadragesimus Oct 26 + c 590. A shepherd and subdeacon in Policastro in Italy who raised a man from the dead.

Servulus Dec 23 + c 590. A righteous man who was a cripple and used to beg for alms at the door of the church of St Clement in Rome, sharing what he received with other beggars.

Sulpicius (I) Jan 29 + 591. Bishop of Bourges in France from 584 to 591.

Aredius (Yrieix, Yriez) Aug 25 + 591. Born in Limoges in France, he founded Atane in the Limousin, which was later called after him, as also was the village of Saint Yrieux which grew up around the monastery.

Ferreolus Sept 18 + c 591. Fifth Bishop of Limoges in France.

Agericus (Aguy, Airy) Dec 1 c 521-591. Successor of St Desiderius in Verdun in France He was greatly admired by his contemporaries, Sts Gregory of Tours and Venantius Fortunatus. He was buried in his own home which was turned into a church. The monastery of Saint-Airy later grew up around it.

Gontram (Gunthrammus) March 28 + 592. A repentant King of Burgundy in France. Having divorced his wife and ordered the execution of his doctor, he was overcome with remorse and lamented these sins for the rest of his life.

Leobard (Liberd) Jan 18 + 593. A hermit in Tours in France near the monastery of Marmoutier for twenty-two years.

Lomer (Laudomarus) Jan 19 + 593. A shepherd boy near Chartres in France and then priest, he became a hermit. Disciples came and he founded the monastery of Corbion near Chartres. He lived to be over a hundred.

Agricola Feb 26 + c 594. Bishop of Nevers in France between 570 and 594.

Petroc (Petrock, Pedrog, Perreux) June 4 + c 594. Born in Wales, he studied in Ireland and settled in Cornwall, where he was very active. He founded a monastery at a place called after him, Petrocstow (Padstow), and another at Bodmin where he reposed.

Maximian of Syracuse June 9 + 594. Born in Sicily, he became a monk at St Andrew's on the Coelian Hill in Rome with St Gregory the Great. He served as papal ambassador in Constantinople. Recalled to Rome, he finally became Bishop of Syracuse.

Gregory of Tours Nov 17 540-594. Born in Auvergne in France, he was baptised George Florentius, but took the name Gregory when he became Bishop of Tours in 573. He was a fine bishop and excelled as a historian.

Ermelinda (Ermelindis) Oct 29 + c 595. An anchoress in Meldaert near Tirlemont in Belgium.

Magnericus July 25 + 596. Bishop of Trier in Germany (c 566). He was a close friend of St Gregory of Tours and one of the most illustrious bishops of his time.

Agnellus Dec 14 + c 596. A hermit and then Abbot of San Gaudioso near Naples in Italy. He is one of the patron-saints of the city and was often seen to free the city from its enemies by the power of the cross.

Eochod Jan 25 + 597. One of St Columba's twelve companions, he was chosen to enlighten the Picts in Scotland. He is called the Apostle of the Picts of Galloway.

Columba (Colum, Coim, Columbkill, Columcille, Columbus, Combs) June 9 c 521-597. Born in Garton in Co. Donegal, he became a monk at Glasnevin and was ordained priest. The rest of his life was spent founding monasteries and churches, in Ireland and Scotland. On Whitsun Eve 563 he landed with twelve companions on the island of Iona (Holy Island), where he established the most famous of his monasteries, which became vital in the conversion of the Picts, the Scots and the Northern English. His biographer and successor, Adamnan, wrote that: 'He had the face of an angel, was of an excellent nature, polished in speech, holy in deed, great in counsel … loving to all'. His relics were transferred to Dunkeld in 849 and his 'Cathach', a copy of the Psalms in his own hand, still exists.

Dallan Forgaill (of Cluain Dallain) Jan 29 + 598. A relative of St Aidan of Ferns, he was born in Connaught in Ireland. He was martyred at Inis-coel by pirates.

Baithin (Comin, Cominus) June 9 + c 598 By tradition a cousin of St Columba, he succeeded him as Abbot of Iona in Scotland. He reposed on the anniversary of St Columba's repose.

Kenneth (Canice, Cainnech, Kenny) Oct 11 c 525-c 599. Born in the north of Ireland, he was a disciple of St Finian of Clonard and St Cadoc in Wales. He founded the monastery of Agahaboe and perhaps of Kilkenny, which is named after him. He later preached in Scotland where he was the first to build a church in the place now known as St Andrews.

Tarsicia (Tarsitia) Jan 15 + c 600. An anchoress who lived near Rodez in France.

Oncho (Onchuo) Feb 8 + c 600. A pilgrim, poet, and guardian of holy relics and the Celtic tradition. While searching for memorials of the saints, he reposed at Clonmore monastery in Ireland and his body was enshrined there together with the relics which he had gathered.

Liudhard Feb 24 + c 600. Chaplain and bishop of Queen Bertha of Kent. He may have played an important part in the conversion of King Ethelbert, preparing for the conversion of Kent.

Leander Feb 27 550-600. The elder brother of Sts Fulgentius, Isidore and Florentina. He entered a monastery in his early youth and was later sent to Constantinople on a diplomatic mission. There he met St Gregory the Great, who became a close friend. On his return to Spain, Leander became Archbishop of Seville. He revised and unified the Spanish liturgy, converted St Hermenegild and helped convert the Visigoths from Arianism. He was responsible for holding two national Councils at Toledo in 589 and 590.

David March 1 + c 600. Born in south Wales, he founded a monastery in Mynyw (Menevia) in the far west and is honoured as the first bishop of what is now called St Davids. The monks lived a very ascetic life and their monastery became a seedbed of saints. He attended the Council of Brefi in c 545. The foundation of a dozen monasteries and many miracles are attributed to him. His relics survive and are enshrined in the Cathedral and he is the patron-saint of Wales.

Asaph May 1 + c 600. One of St Kentigern's monks in the north of Wales. He is believed to have succeeded St Kentigern as abbot and bishop, leaving his own name to the see now in Clwyd. Many of his relatives are also venerated as saints.

Honoratus of Amiens May 16 + c 600. Born in Ponthieu in France, he became Bishop of Amiens. The church and Boulevard S