Briag
Saint Briag (Breton) or Briac (French) was an Irish monk who came to Brittany in the company of Saint Tudwal. His feast day is 17 December.[1][2]
Saint Briag | |
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Born | 6th century Ireland |
Died | c. 555 Bourbriac, Brittany |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Feast | 17 December |
Biography
Born of Irish nobility, he lived during the sixth century. After his studies, he left his country to join a monastery in Wales led by the abbot Tudwal. They landed in Armorica, Brittany and evangelized the entire north coast.[1] Saint Briag is invoked for the cure of mental illnesses. He is said to have endowed the village with a miraculous spring, thus healing all these afflictions. He died around the year 555 and his tomb is today in Bourbriac in Côtes-d'Armor where he founded a monastery.[2]
The commune Saint-Briac-sur-Mer is named for Saint Briag.[2] Today, Briag is a common given name in Breton with several variant spellings and derivations, including Brian or Bryan.[1][2][3]