Saint Edeyrn Explained

Saint Edeyrn (century) was a pre-congregational saint of Wales, related to Vortigern and the royal house of Powys and the brother of Saint Aerdeyrn and Elldeyrn.^[1] Edeyrn is the patron saint of Lannédern in France^{[2] [3]} and Llanedeyrn in Wales, where he founded a monastery of over 300 people.^[4]

Legend

Legend holds he was a companion of King Arthur, before moving to France where he became a Hermit.^[5] Being from the family of Vortigen, however, would make a relationship with King Arthur unlikely.

Legacy

He is remembered in churches across Wales and Brittany including Monmouth and Llanedeyrn near Cardiff in Wales and Lannédern in Brittany France. He is often depicted riding a deer and his feast day is 6 January.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Williams, John. The Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Cymry or The Ancient British Church: Its History, Doctrine, and Rites, p. 112. 1844.
2. Dom François Plaine. Sa « Notice sur la vie et le culte de saint Edern », dans « Bulletin de la Société archéologique du Finistère », 1892, t. XIX, p. 200-215.
3. Paul Peyron et Jean-Marie Abgrall, Bulletin diocésain d'histoire et d'archéologie, March–April 1919, Notices sur les paroisses du diocèse de Quimper et de Léon, Lannédern, pages 53-54.
4. Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of Wales, (Lewis and Company, 1833). Volume II.
5. http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3043 Catholic Online
6. There may also have been another Edern, a semi legendary 9th century French hermit monk whose feast day is celebrated on August 26.