Saint Melaine of Rennes

Also known as: Apostle of France
Melaine
Melan
Melanie
Melanius
Melen
Mellion
Mullion
Memorial: 6 November
formerly 6 January
Profile: Monk. Bishop of Rennes, France during the 5th and 6th centuries when the Franks were conquering all of Gaul. Nearly eliminated idolatry in his diocese. Close friend and advisor to King Clovis. Required his priests to stop "wandering from cabin to cabin, celebrating Mass on portable altars, accompanied by women who administered the chalice to the faithful." Had a brief conflict with British evangelists who tried to introduce Celtic liturgical forms, confusing the new converts. Played a leading role at the Council of Orleans in 511.
Born: in Placet, Brittany
Died: c.535 of natural causes
the abbey of Saint Melaine, Rennes, France was built around his tomb
Patronage: Mullion, Cornwall, England
Saint Mellyan, Cornwall, England
Representation: bishop standing on a devil
bishop driving a devil before him
dead bishop on a sailing ship carrying his body upstream
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
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