Saint of the Day – 6 November – Saint Melaine of Rennes (Died c535) Bishop, Confessor

Saint of the Day – 6 November – Saint Melaine of Rennes (Died c535) Bishop of Rennes in Brittany, France, Confessor, previously a Monk and Abbot, Royal Advisor, Miracle-worker. Born in Placet, Brittany and died in c535 of natural causes. Also known as – “Apostle of France” • Melan, Melanie, Melanio, Melanius, Melen, Mellion, Mullion. Additional Memorials – 6 January and 11 October – both dates seeming to be in regard to the translation of his Relics. Patronages – Mullion, Cornwall and Saint Mellyan, Cornwall, England.

The Roman Martyrology reds: “At Rennes, in France, St Melanius, Bishop and Confessor, who displayed innumerable virtues and with his thoughts ever fixed on Heaven, passed from the world in glory.”

Melaine grew up at Plaz in Brain, near Redon in Brittany, northwest modern France. He was a pious child, often being punished for spending too long at his prayers. He became a Monk and then Abbot. He was nominated the successor to Bishop St Amand of Rennes. Traditions state that on the death of Amand, he was compelled, by the local population, to become the next Bishop, accepting the role with great reluctance.

It is also recorded that Melaine performed many miracles and put an end to heathen practices in his Diocese. During his rule, King Clovis I began his reign and Melaine became his trusted advisor. He opposed immigration from Britain and attended the First Council of Orléans in 511.

Melaine died at Rennes in c535 and was buried in the Abbey Church of Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine, see below, which was built around his tomb.

In Wales, his Feast is celebrated locally on 10 October rather than 11 October at St Mellons, in modern-day Cardiff, although there is serious doubt over whether Melaine is the same Saint ‘Mellonius’ said to have been born there.

In Cornwall, he is the patron of the villages of St Mellion and Mullion, where there is a tradition of his visit.