Gervadius

Saint Gervadius (Garnat, Garnet, Gerardin, Gerardine, Gernard, Gernardius, Gervardius, Gervat) (d. ~934 AD) was an Irish saint. His feast day is celebrated on 8 November. He was an Irishman who established himself as a hermit in Scotland, near Kenedor (present day Kinneddar, Lossiemouth, Moray).

Saint Gervadius
BornIreland
Died~934 AD
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Anglican Communion
FeastNovember 8

He may have emigrated to escape Viking raids in his native land. It is possible he may have been part of a Gaelic religious community that was present in Kinneddar in the 10th century, and who placed his cell in a cave in a rocky promontory to the east.

The early maps give reference to his having been there by naming the area Holyman's Head near Elgin. His cave became a place of pilgrimage right up to the Reformation and survived into the 19th century before being quarried out.

Legends

A legend states that he lit flaming torches at night to warn ships away from the dangerous rocks.[1] Another states that once, when Gervadius needed wood to complete the construction of a church, he was miraculously assisted by a river, which washed timber down to where he was working.[2] An alternate version states that the river brought him food. The Life of Gervadius states that he met with Anglo-Saxon soldiers sent by Athelstan in 934.

References
  1. "CatholicSaints.Info » Name Gervadius". catholicsaints.info. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  2. "CatholicSaints.Info » Name Gervadius". catholicsaints.info. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
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