Died c. 688.
Poverty is a remover of cares and the mother of holiness.
-- Saint Meriadoc.
Meriadoc, though venerated especially in Cornwall and Brittany, was
probably a Welshman who lived in the 5th or 6th century. He came to
Cornwall and founded several churches, one of which at Camborne was once
dedicated to him. He became renowned in these parts and a miracle play
in Cornish still survives, recounting his legendary exploits.
He then crossed over into Brittany, where his memory is still strong. In
the 16th-century church at Plougasnou is a reliquary containing what may
well be part of Meriadoc's skull. At Stival is preserved what is
believed to be his bell. Placed on the heads of the deaf and those
suffering migraine, it is said to heal them. Some documents state that
Meriadoc even became bishop of Vannes at a time when it was one of the
most important cities of Brittany.
Meriadoc had been a rich man. Before becoming a hermit he gave all his
money to poor clerics, distributing his lands to the needy. So great
became his reputation for sanctity that he feared he would become vain
and retired even further from the world. Instead of the silks and purple
that he once wore, Meriadoc new dressed in rags, eating simple food,
living in complete poverty.
When his relatives tried to make him leave his new life and return to
the world, he told the viscount of Rohan who had come with these
relatives that he would be better engaged extirpating the thieves and
robbers of the neighbourhood. The viscount took the saint at his word,
and a great evil was removed from Brittany.
Although Meriadoc was unanimously elected bishop of Vannes, he took the
bishopric reluctantly. After his consecration he continued a life of
abstinence and love for the poor. He died kissing his brethren and
crying,
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my Spirit
(
Bentley).
Bell of Saint Meriadoc
http://www.visuf-sourd.com/regions/bretagne/cloche.htm
Troparion of St Meriadoc tone 4
O Meriadoc holy hermit,/ through thy simplicity thou didst draw many
souls to God./ Near the church of the Mother of God in Camborne/ thou
didst cause a healing well to rise./ We glorify God Who has glorified
thee.