Saint Gelasius of Armagh

Also known as

• Giolla Iosa
• Gioua-Mac-Liag

Memorial

• 27 March

Profile

Son of the Irish poet Diarmaid. Abbot in Derry, Ireland for 16 years. Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland in 1138; he served for 36 years. First Irish bishop to receive the pallium. Rebuilt the cathedral of Armagh. As the primate bishop of Ireland, Gelasius travelled widely, preaching to the faithful, re-building old monasteries, convening synods, encouraging teachers. Ordained Saint Lawrence O’Toole as archbishop of Dublin in 1162. Convened a synod in Armagh in 1170 to look for a way to defend against invading Anglo-Normans.

Died

• 27 March 1174 of natural causes

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• For All the Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
• One Year Book of Saints, by Father Clifford Stevens
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson