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; 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
Name Meaning: servant of Jesus (= Gelasius)
Additional Information: For All the Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
One Year Book of Saints, by Father Clifford Stevens
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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