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Brioc
Encyclopedia
Saint Brioc was an early 6th century Welshman
who became the first Abbot
of Saint-Brieuc
in Brittany
. He is one of the seven founder saints of Brittany.
Very little is known about his early life, as his 9th century 'life
' is not altogether reliable. James Ussher
, the 17th century Primate of All Ireland, says that the saint
was of Irish
birth. However, there is no evidence for this assertion and his life states that he came from Ceredigion
where, indeed, he has a church at Llandyfriog. He was originally named Briafael or Briavel and is supposed to have studied under a certain 'Germanus', but whether this is supposed to be Saint Germanus of Auxerre
or Germanus of Paris
is unclear. According to his 'life', he performed miracle
s even before ordination
. He founded the church of St Breock
in Cornwall
, but eventually settled in Brittany where he founded a monastery
at Landebaeron
. He then went to Upper Brittany
and established an oratory
at a place still referred to as St Brieuc-des-Vaux
where he eventually became the abbot
of a monastery. The 'life' provides details of many miracles, including a cure of Count Riguel, who donated to him his palace at Champ-du-Rouvre and estates in gratitude.
Brioc died in his monastery at St Brieuc-des-Vaux and was interred in his cathedral church there, which was dedicated to Saint Stephen
. His relic
s were translated to Angers
in 865 and translated again in 1166. A portion of the relics, as well as his ring, was given back to St. Brieuc Cathedral in 1210. His feast day
is 1 May.
A Saint Briavel recorded by the 11th century, whose feast may have been celebrated 17 June or 2 July is generally thought to be the same individual as Saint Brioc whose original name was Briafael, anglicized as Briavel. The village of St Briavels
and St Briavel's Castle
in the English
county of Gloucestershire
are named in his honour.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
who became the first Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-History:Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk Brioc, who evangelized the region in the 6th century and established an oratory there...
in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. He is one of the seven founder saints of Brittany.
Very little is known about his early life, as his 9th century 'life
Acta
ACTA may refer to:* Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, a standards organization for terminal equipment such as registered jacks* Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, in southern California...
' is not altogether reliable. James Ussher
James Ussher
James Ussher was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–56...
, the 17th century Primate of All Ireland, says that the saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
was of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
birth. However, there is no evidence for this assertion and his life states that he came from Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
where, indeed, he has a church at Llandyfriog. He was originally named Briafael or Briavel and is supposed to have studied under a certain 'Germanus', but whether this is supposed to be Saint Germanus of Auxerre
Germanus of Auxerre
Germanus of Auxerre was a bishop of Auxerre in Gaul. He is a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, commemorated on July 31. He visited Britain in around 429 and the records of this visit provide valuable information on the state of post-Roman British society...
or Germanus of Paris
Germain of Paris
Saint Germain was a bishop of Paris, who was canonized in 754. He is known in his early vita as pater et pastor populi, rendered in modern times as the "Father of the Poor".-Biography:...
is unclear. According to his 'life', he performed miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
s even before ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
. He founded the church of St Breock
St Breock (parish)
St Breock is a village and a civil parish in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. St Breock village is 1 mile west of Wadebridge immediately to the south of the Royal Cornwall Showground. The village lies on the eastern slope of the wooded Nansent valley...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, but eventually settled in Brittany where he founded a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
at Landebaeron
Landebaëron
Landebaëron is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Landebaëron are called landebaëronnais.-External links:*...
. He then went to Upper Brittany
Upper Brittany
Upper Brittany is a term used to describe the eastern part of Brittany which is predominantly of a Romance culture and is associated with the Gallo language. The name is in counterpoint to Lower Brittany, the western part of the ancient province and present-day region, where the Breton language...
and established an oratory
Oratory (worship)
An oratory is a Christian room for prayer, from the Latin orare, to pray.-Catholic church:In the Roman Catholic Church, an oratory is a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass...
at a place still referred to as St Brieuc-des-Vaux
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-History:Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk Brioc, who evangelized the region in the 6th century and established an oratory there...
where he eventually became the abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of a monastery. The 'life' provides details of many miracles, including a cure of Count Riguel, who donated to him his palace at Champ-du-Rouvre and estates in gratitude.
Brioc died in his monastery at St Brieuc-des-Vaux and was interred in his cathedral church there, which was dedicated to Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen The Protomartyr , the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches....
. His relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
s were translated to Angers
Angers
Angers is the main city in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France about south-west of Paris. Angers is located in the French region known by its pre-revolutionary, provincial name, Anjou, and its inhabitants are called Angevins....
in 865 and translated again in 1166. A portion of the relics, as well as his ring, was given back to St. Brieuc Cathedral in 1210. His feast day
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
is 1 May.
A Saint Briavel recorded by the 11th century, whose feast may have been celebrated 17 June or 2 July is generally thought to be the same individual as Saint Brioc whose original name was Briafael, anglicized as Briavel. The village of St Briavels
St Briavels
St Briavels is a medium sized village and civil parish in the Royal Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England; close to the England-Wales border, and south of Coleford. It stands almost above sea level on the edge of a limestone plateau above the valley of the River Wye, above an ancient...
and St Briavel's Castle
St Briavel's Castle
St Briavels Castle is a moated Norman castle at St Briavels in the English county of Gloucestershire. The castle is noted for its huge Edwardian gatehouse that guards the entrance....
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
are named in his honour.
See also
- Blessed Julian MaunoirJulian MaunoirJulien Maunoir , was a French-born Jesuit priest known as the "Apostle of Brittany". He was beatified in 1951 by Pope Pius XII and is commemorated by the Roman Catholic Church on 29 January and 2 July....
, "Apostle of Brittany" - BreageBreageBreage, also known as Breaca, Briac, etc., is a saint venerated in Cornwall and southwestern Britain. According to her late hagiography, she was an Irish nun of the 5th or 6th century who founded a church in Cornwall...
, reputed founder of Breage, CornwallBreage, CornwallBreage is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated three miles west of Helston....