Saint Colman (martyr)
Saint Colman or Kolonat (Irish: Colmán; Latin: Colomannus; c. 600 – July 8th, 689 AD in Würzburg, Germany) was an Irish-born Christian priest and missionary.
Saint Colman or Kolonat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Apostle to the Franconians | |
| Born | 7th century Ireland |
| Died | 689 Würzburg, Kingdom of the Franks |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church True Orthodox Church |
| Feast | July 8 |
Life
He was a companion of Kilian and Totnan as missionaries to Franconia and Thüringen in Germany.
In 686, the three of them travelled to Rome with nine other Christians and met Pope Conon. They then travelled on to Wurzburg. At this point the three stayed in Wurzburg while the others travelled throughout the area. Duke Gozbert of Wurzburg became a Christian, but his wife remained a pagan.
Kilian told Duke Gozbert that he was breaking Christian scripture by marrying his brother's widow, Geilana. Geilana was so angry that she sent her soldiers to the main square of Würzburg, where the three missionaries were preaching, and had them beheaded.[1]
Legacy
After their deaths, their relics were revered as cures for illnesses.
In 752 Burchard of Wessex became the first bishop of Würzburg. He transferred the relics of the three men into the new cathedral which was dedicated to St Kilian.[2]
References
- Celtic Saints website
- Catholic Ireland website
- Thurston, Herbert J.; Attwater, Donald (1956). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Vol. III. Christian Classics. p. 40. ISBN 0-87061-048-1.