Saint of the Day – 24 June – Saint Gohardus of Nantes (Died 843) and his Companions, Bishop Martyr, a Cephalophore (from the Greek for “head-carrier”), Lord of Blain. Born in 8th Century Angers, Neustria (in modern France) died on 24 June 843 in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Nantes, Marche de Bretagne. Also known as – Gohard, Gunardo, Gunhard, Gundhard, Gunthard, Godard, Gonhard, Guichard, Guihard, Wighard.
Gohardus was born in Blain in Angers. It was during his Episcopate, in 843 that the Battle of Blain took place, the first major battle between the Franks and the Britons. Damage caused by struggles between these two factions in the area was compounded by Viking raids.
On the Feast day of St John the Baptist, a month after the defeat of Blain, the Vikings arrived at Nantes. Gohardus was celebrating Mass in Nantes Cathedral with a large community of Monks and Priests, when the Vikings attacked, killing the Bishop and his congregation.
Legend says that Gohardus picked up his severed head and walked down to the Loire River, where a boat took him to Angers. His body was buried in St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Angers, the City where he was born.
Gohardus was Canonised in 1096 by Pope Urban II. The Romanesque Crypt of Nantes Cathedral is dedicated to our Saint Gohardus and was redesigned shortly after his Canonisation to house his Relics brought from Angers. A side Chapel of the Cathedral is dedicated to enshrine his Relics.
His Feast Day is celebrated on 24 June.
AnaStpaul 