Saint of the Day – 28 February – Saint Ruellinus (6th Century) the 2nd Bishop of Treguier, Brittany, France, now in today’s Diocese of Quimper and Leon, Monk and Priest. Probably born in Wales and died in his See. Also known as – Rivelin, Ruelin, Ruellin.
In the 6th Century, the Breton Monk Ruellinus, a disciple of Saint Tugdual, who had established a hermitage on an island off the coast of North Wales, before crossing the sea to Brittany with our Saint and other companions. He became the 1st Bishop of Tréguier.
When Tugdual was dying around the year 564, the Priests asked him to select a successor and he indicated Ruellinus to succeed his spiritual master as the Bishop of this See. It is believed he filled this Office from 564 to 598.
His election was contested by St Pergat, a Canon and the Archpriest of Lexobie but was confirmed by a Synod at Lexobie, where the most able and educated Ecclesiastics of the Diocese were summoned. Ruellinus appeared miraculously to the entire assembly thus ratifying their decision and causing St Pergat to retire from the fray in deep mortification, spending the remainder of his life in penance for his pride.
Ruellinus is mentioned in the 17th Century volume “Vie des saints de la Bretagne Armorique” and in the 19th Century text by M de Garaby, on the Saints of Brittany.
St Ruellinus is commemorated and celebrated in the proper of the Diocese of Quimper and Leon today, 28 February.
AnaStpaul 