Saint of the Day – 9 February – Saint Teilo (6th Century) Bishop of Llandaff, Wales. Welsh born in Penally, Wales and died at his See of Llandaff. Most Welsh sources confirm that Teilo was a close relative of St David, spiritual student of St Dyfrid and St Paulinus of Wales. Patronages – against fever, of horses, of apple orchards, farms and farmers, the City and Diocese of Cardiff (Capital of Wales), the Town of Saint-Thélo in Brittany, France . Also known as – Teilio, Teilus, Thelian, Teilan, Teilou, Teliou, Elidius, Eliud, Dillo, Dillon. The festival in honour of Saint Teilo is observed at different times of the year at different locations. In Wales and at Saint-Thélo, on 9 February; at Dol, on 29 November and on 25 November in the rest of the Churches in Brittany. Following 1752, however, his fair at Llandeilo in Wales, was not observed on the 9th but eleven days later on the 20th February or on the Sunday following that date.

St Teilo was probably born at Penally, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales, around the year 500. Although there are conflicting reports about his early life, he was thought to be a cousin of the national Patron of Wales, St David.

He received his education at institutions directed by Saints, one being St Dyfrid, who he succeeded as the Bishop of Llandaff, founding the very first Church in Llandaff, where the Cathedral stands today. He was also educated by St Paulinus of Wales at a place thought to be Whitland in Carmarthenshire. Here he is thought to have made contact with his cousin and became a close companion St David.

He travelled extensively, including Brittany, Rome and Jerusalem and to St David’s in north Pembrokeshire, where David founded his Monastery. Teilo too founded a Monasteries in Llandeilo (the name of the Town literally means ‘Church of St Teilo’), the place with which he is most associated and at Penally. Penally Abbey was located on the pilgrims’ trail to St David’s.

Legend has it that Teilo went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Saints David and St Padarn around the year 518. Three seats, one decorated ornately in gold, one of bronze and one of cedar, were erected in their honour in readiness for their Ordination as Bishops by the Bishop of Jerusalem. The legend has it that the humble Teilo chose the simple wooden seat.

A plague of Yellow Fever devastated parts of Wales in the year 547. Teilo and his followers fled, firstly to Cornwall and then to Brittany, where they were welcomed by St Samson of Dol. It is thought that Teilo and Samson planted a grove of apple-bearing trees between Dol and Cai, where the apple groves are still known as the groves of Teilo and Samson and still bear fruit today.

At Landaul in Brittany, Teilo is considered the Patron Saint of apple trees and the town of Saint-Thélo in Brittany which bears his name. At St. Teilo’s Church, one of the stained glass windows, shows an apple tree in honour of St Teilo.

Teilo returned from Brittany to Llandaff. He died on 9 February, most likely in the year 560. After his death he became one of the most venerated Saints in Wales. Several sites in Wales claim to house his remains. A tomb of St Teilo is located in Llandaff Cathedral while a part of his skull is kept in the South Chapel.

At least 25 Churches and schools in Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and Devon are dedicated to him.