| Saint Theofrid of Orange | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | Orange, Vaucluse, France |
| Died | 728 or 732 AD near Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, France |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | November 18;[1] October 19[2] |
Saint Theofrid (Chaffre, Theofredus, Theofred, Théofroy) of Orange (or of Carmery) (d. 728 or 732 AD) was an abbot of Calmeliac or Carmery-en-Velay (later called Saint-Chaffre, and today Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille[1]), situated near Le Puy-en-Velay and originally founded by Saint Calminius.
A native of Orange, he is venerated as a martyr, as Christian tradition holds that he was killed by Muslim raiders who had crossed into southern France.[2]
Tradition states that the circumstances of his death are as follows: when the raiders neared Calmeliac, Theofrid ordered the other monks to hide in the forest.[2] He remained near the monastery and was found in prayer, and was dragged away and mortally wounded in the head with a stone.[3]
The legend further states that after Theofrid fell to the group, the earth shook and a dark storm cloud unleashed lightning, hail, and winds that dispersed the raiders.[2] Theofrid died seven days later.[2]
His cult spread in Southern France during the 11th century.[1] In Piedmont, his cult was confused with that of the legendary member of the Theban Legion, Chiaffredo (Theofredus, Teofredo).[1][4]