Saint of the Day – 31 March – St Agigulf (Died 751) Martyr, Monk, Abbot of Stavelot, Archbishop of Cologne, Died by being murdered in 751 in Cologne, Austrasia (in modern Germany). Also known as – Agigulfus, Agilolfo, Agilulfo, Agilulfus, Agilulph. Additional. Memorials – 6 July (translation of relics), 9 July (translation of relics to Cologne, Germany).
Apart from his name, very little is known about Bishop Agigulf. He came from a good family and was educated under Abbot Angelinus at Stavelot. A short time after succeeding as Abbot of Stavelot, Agigulf became Bishop of Cologne.
He is said to have tried to persuade King Pepin to leave his throne to someone other than Charles Martel, due to Charles’ illegitimacy. Agigulf’s violent end soon after this consulation, could be a result of Martel seeking revenge.
A letter of Pope Zachary in 747 commended Agigulf for signing the Decree on Orthodoxy.
Agigulf. was immediately venerated as a Martyr. In 1062 Bishop St Anno I, brought his remains to the Church of Our Lady of the Steps at Cologne. In 1893, St Agifulf’s Relics re-enshrined and put on public display in Cologne Cathedral
The image below is the Altarpiece of St Agigulf in Cologne Cathedral. It contains seens from the Passion of Christ as well as from the lives of St Agigulf and St Anno I.
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