| Saint Brioc | |
|---|---|
| Abbot | |
| Born | unknown Ceredigion |
| Died | 6th century St Brieuc-des-Vaux |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion |
| Major shrine | St Brieuc-des-Vaux |
| Feast | 1 May |
Saint Brioc (Welsh: Briog ; also known in French as Brieuc, in Breton as Brieg, and in Cornwall as Breock) 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 miracles 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 relics 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.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.