Bodfan
Bodfan was a Welsh saint venerated in the Catholic and Anglican churches, known for his religious life and the founding of the first church at Llanaber. He is remembered as a son of Helig ap Glanawg who became a monk after witnessing his family's land being inundated by the sea.
- Feast Day
- 2 June
- Century
- 7th century
- Country Or Region
- Wales
Key Facts
- ›Bodfan was a Welsh saint in the Catholic and Anglican churches.
- ›He was the son of Helig ap Glanawg and died in the 7th century.
- ›He became a monk on Bardsey Island.
- ›Bodfan established the first church at Llanaber.
- ›His feast day is on June 2.
- ›He is the patron saint of several churches in Gwynedd.
Bodfaen
Llanaber
St. Bodfan's Stones
About Bodfan
Bodfan, also known as Bodfaen, was a Welsh saint revered in both the Catholic and Anglican traditions. He lived and died in the 7th century, and his biography is intertwined with the legends of his father, Helig ap Glanawg.
Life and Legacy
According to tradition, Bodfan turned to religious life after witnessing the inundation of his family's land by the sea. He subsequently became a monk on Bardsey Island. His most significant contribution was establishing the first church at Llanaber.
Bodfan's brothers, Brothen, Celynin, and Rhichwyn, are also recognized as saints and have churches dedicated to them in the Gwynedd and Conwy regions.
Veneration
Bodfan is the patron saint of numerous churches located in Gwynedd, a region in north-west Wales. Notable examples include St Mary and St Bodfan Church in Llanaber and St Bodfan church in Abergwyngregyn. In Llanaber, two large rocks known as the Llanaber Stones, or St Bodfan's Stones, bear 5th- and 6th-century Latin carvings and are situated a kilometer from the local church.
His feast day is observed on June 2.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bodfan?
Bodfan, also known as Bodfaen, was a Welsh saint venerated in the Catholic and Anglican churches. He was the son of Helig ap Glanawg and lived in the 7th century.
What is Bodfan remembered for?
Bodfan is primarily remembered for becoming a monk on Bardsey Island after his family's land was inundated by the sea. He is also noted for establishing the first church at Llanaber and is considered a patron saint of churches in Gwynedd.
When is Bodfan's feast day?
Bodfan's feast day is celebrated on June 2.
Are there any places associated with Bodfan?
Yes, Bodfan established the first church at Llanaber, and he is the patron saint of several churches in Gwynedd, including one in Abergwyngregyn. Additionally, ancient carved stones near Llanaber are locally known as St. Bodfan's Stones.
Who were Bodfan's brothers?
Bodfan had brothers named Brothen, Celynin, and Rhichwyn, who are also regarded as saints. Churches are dedicated to them in areas around Gwynedd and Conwy.
Related Saints
Beuno
Saint Beuno was a 7th-century Welsh abbot, confessor, and missionary. He is remembered for establishing a monastery at Clynnog Fawr and for his credited miracles, including raising seven people from the dead. His traditional feastday is April 21st.
Asaph
Saint Asaph was the first Bishop of St Asaph in the latter half of the 6th century. He is primarily remembered as a disciple of Saint Kentigern and his successor as bishop. His sanctity was revealed through a miracle involving live coals, and he is commemorated in place names and liturgical calendars.
Cadoc
Saint Cadoc was a 5th-6th-century Welsh abbot of Llancarfan, a renowned center of learning in the era of the Celtic church. He is credited with establishing numerous churches across Cornwall, Brittany, Dyfed, and Scotland. Known as Cattwg Ddoeth, "the Wise," a significant collection of his moral sayings was preserved, and he is listed in the Roman Martyrology.