Pre-Schism Orthodox Western Saints
7th October (NS) — 24th September (OS)
24th September O.S.
ANATHALON, according to Milanese tradition the first Bishop of Milan was the Apostle Barnabas, however, this tradition is of somewhat questionable veracity. There seems to be no historical doubt that St. Anathalon, a disciple of the Apostle Barnabas, did serve as the first Bishop of Milan, and exercised the functions of a bishop at Brescia and other parts of Lombardy. St. Anathalon is said to have reposed at Brescia whilst on an episcopal visitation 61.
ANDOCHIUS, THYRSUS, and FELIX, St. Polycarp (23rd February) sent St. Andochius, a priest; and St. Thyrsus, a deacon; from Smyrna to Gaul. Landing at Marseilles, they travelled to Lyons, and settled at Autun. There they were given lodging and assistance in their endeavours by St. Felix, a wealthy merchant from the East. All three were martyred (179), and their relics were venerated throughout Gaul.
CHUNIALD and GISLAR, (Seventh Century), natives of Ireland who are said to have assisted St. Rupert of Salzburg (27th March) in his work to enlighten the south of Germany and Austria.
GERARD SAGREDO (GERARDO SAGREDO, SAGREDO GELLÉRT), an Italian monk from Venice who had a principal role in the conversion of Hungary where he served as the first Bishop of Csanád. When he first arrived in Hungary, St. Gerard served as tutor to St. Emeric (4th November) the son of St. Stephen (16th August). Soon St. Gerard went to live as a hermit at Bakonybél Abbey in present-day north-western Hungary. He was elevated to the See of Csanád circa 1030 and served as its Bishop until his martyrdom in 1046.
GEREMARUS (GERMER), a native of Beauvais in the north of modern-day France, who, with the consent of his wife, received monastic tonsure at the Abbey of Pental in present-day Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque in Normandy, eventually serving as its Abbot. St. Geremarus resigned the abbacy following a revolt by his monks and went to live as a hermit in a nearby cave. In 655 St. Geremarus founded, and served as first Abbot of, the Abbey of Flay, in Picardy, which became known as Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey. St. Geremarus reposed circa 658, his relics were initially enshrined at Beauvais Cathedral, but were translated to Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey in 1132.
RUSTICUS, eighth Bishop of Clermont in Auvergne from 426 until his repose 446. Nothing further is known of his life.
YSARN (ISARNUS of TOULOUSE), a native of Toulouse who served as an Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseilles, which flourished under his leadership. St. Ysarn was renowned for his care of criminals. He reposed 1048.
7th October N.S.
ADALGIS, a member of the court of Emperor Lothair I who was appointed to serve as Bishop of Novara in Italy from circa 830 until his repose circa 850. He is buried in the Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara.
AUGUSTUS, (Late Sixth Century), an Abbot of Bourges in central Gaul. St. Augustus was also a friend of St. Germanus of Paris (28th May). He is best known for having discovered the relics of St. Ursinus (9th November), the first Bishop of Bourges.
CANOG (CANOG, CENNEUR), (Fifth Century), The eldest son of the great King St. Brychan of Brycheiniog (6th April), St. Cynog was martyred by Barbarians at Merthyr-Cynog (shrine of Cynog) in Powys, Wales circa 492, his relics are enshrined at Merthyr-Cynog.
DUBHTHACH (DUBTHACH, DUBTACH), (Sixth Century), There were two Abbot-Bishops of Armagh by the name of Dubhthach. Dubhthach the First was the sixth Abbot-Bishop of Armagh, serving from 497 until his repose in 513. Dubhthach the Second (or Younger) served as the ninth Abbot-Bishop of Armagh Ireland for twelve years from 536 until his repose in 548. The Annals of the Four Masters only refer to Dubhthach the Second as a saint, however there is no other record extant of his veneration or Feast Day. The Book-of-Saints by the Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine at Ramsgate, England as well as several other contemporary listings of saints, list a feast date of 7th October.
HELANUS, (Sixth Century), along with six brothers and three sisters, St. Helanus came to France from Ireland, all living as hermits along the River Marne near Rheims. St. Helanus, who was a priest, served as de facto abbot of the small community, and ministered to the people of the surrounding area.
JUSTINA, according to tradition St. Justina, a maiden who flourished during the Apostolic Age, was martyred in Padua during the reign of Nero (54 – 68) or Domitian (81 – 96).
MARCELLUS and APULEIUS, (First Century), the Roman Martyrology related that SS. Marcellus and Apuleius were followers of Simon Magus who were converted after witnessing the miracles of the Apostle St. Peter (29th June). They were later martyred, and buried outside the walls of Rome.
MARK (MARCUS), a Roman by birth, Pope St. Mark succeeded Pope St. Silvester (31st December), serving as the thirty-fourth Pope of Rome for only 263 days (18th January – 7th October 336). However, in that brief time the Liber Pontificalis, credits St. Mark with the foundation of the Basilica of San Marco in Rome, and it is possible he founded a second one as well. St. Mark reposed 7th October 336 of natural causes.
OSYTH (OSITH), (Seventh Century), according to tradition St. Osyth was the daughter of Frithwald (Frithuwold), a sub-king of Mercia and Wilburga, the daughter of the pagan King Penda of Mercia, and niece of St. Edith of Polesworth (15th July), and St. Edburga of Bicester (18th July). She was raised by her aunt St. Edith of Polesworth at St. Edith’s monastery, or under the guidance of St. Modwenna of Burton (5th July), leading to St. Osyth’s desire to become a monastic. However, her father betrothed her to Sighere, King of the East Saxons for political reasons. This union produced the future St. Offa (15th December). In time, Sighere acquiesced to St. Osyth’s desire for the monastic life, and she founded the Monastery of Chich in Essex, England, serving as its first Abbess. St. Osyth was martyred by heathen Danes or other pirates circa 700.
PALLADIUS (PALLAIS, PALLADE), the twelfth Bishop of Saintes in south western Gaul. He served from circa 570 - 3 until his repose circa 596 – 600.
Prior to the Schism the Patriarchate of Rome was Orthodox, and fully in communion with the Orthodox Church. As Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco +1966 said “The West was Orthodox for a thousand years, and her venerable Liturgy is far older than any of her heresies”.