Giles

Saint Giles

Saint Giles, known in Latin as Aegidius and in French as Gilles, was a hermit or monk active in the lower Rhône region, likely during the 7th century. While his hagiography is largely legendary, his cult became widely diffused throughout Europe, and he is revered as a saint. A town that bears his name, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, grew up around the monastery he purportedly founded, which subsequently became a significant pilgrimage center and a stop on the Way of Saint James.

Life and Historical Context

The historical basis for Saint Giles is uncertain, with some legends connecting him to figures like Caesarius of Arles, who died in 543. An abbot named Aegidius is recorded as accompanying a messenger to Pope Symmachus in 514, and this figure might be the historical individual behind the legend. Forged papal bulls from the 9th century suggest a Visigothic king named Wamba founded a monastery for Giles, but historical evidence indicates the monastery was not dedicated to him before c. 910. His tomb dates to the correct historical period, but the inscription is from the 10th century.

Legend and Veneration

The anonymous Latin legend of Giles, first attested in the 10th century, describes him as a Greek from Athens. According to the Legenda Aurea, he withdrew into solitude near Nîmes, with his sole companion being a deer that sustained him on her milk. This retreat was discovered by hunters, and an arrow shot at the deer wounded Giles, leading to his patronage of the physically disabled. The legend states King Wamba built him a monastery, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which Giles placed under the Benedictine rule.

Giles is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His feast day is September 1st. The town of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard became the center of his cult, which was particularly strong in Languedoc. His popularity in the Middle Ages is evidenced by the numerous churches and monasteries dedicated to him across Europe. In 1562, his relics were moved to Toulouse for protection, and pilgrimages declined until their restoration in 1862.

Patronage and Legacy

Saint Giles is the patron saint of people with disabilities and is also invoked for childhood fears, convulsions, and depression. In medieval art, he is depicted with his symbol, the hind (female deer), and an arrow. Beyond Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, numerous other cities bear his name, and his relics are found in various European cities. He is also the patron saint of Edinburgh, Scotland. The church of Sant'Egidio in Trastevere, Rome, dedicated to him in 1630, now houses the Community of Sant'Egidio.