Saint Mellonius (229-314) was an early 4th-century Bishop of Rotomagus (now

Rouen Rouen (, ; or ) is a city on the River Seine, in northwestern France. It is in the prefecture of Regions of France, region of Normandy (administrative region), Normandy and the Departments of France, department of Seine-Maritime. Formerly one ...

) in the

Roman province The Roman provinces (, pl. ) were the administrative regions of Ancient Rome outside Roman Italy that were controlled by the Romans under the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Each province was ruled by a Roman appointed as Roman g ...

of Secunda Provincia Lugdunensis (now

Normandy Normandy (; or ) is a geographical and cultural region in northwestern Europe, roughly coextensive with the historical Duchy of Normandy. Normandy comprises Normandy (administrative region), mainland Normandy (a part of France) and insular N ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

). He is known only from a 17th-century 'Life' of little historical value, meaning the historicity of his existence is uncertain.

Legend

Mellonius (surnamed Probus) is said to have been born near

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

, presumably at

St Mellons St Mellons () is a district and suburb of eastern Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Prior to 1996 St Mellons was the name given to the community largely north of Newport Road (B4487) which included the old St Mellons village. After 1996 the o ...

, although the saint there is generally thought to be Saint Melaine,

Bishop of Rennes The Archdiocese of Rennes, Dol, and Saint-Malo (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Rhedonensis, Dolensis et Sancti Maclovii''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Rennes, Dol et Saint-Malo''; ) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in France. The dioces ...

. The two have, unfortunately, been hopelessly confused in many biographies. Mellonius' story tells how he travelled to

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

to pay the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

tribute. He was there converted to

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...

Pope Stephen I Pope Stephen I ( ) was the Bishop of Rome from 12 May 254 to his death on 2 August 257.Mann, Horace (1912). "Pope St. Stephen I" in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''. Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company. He was later Canonization, canonized a ...

, who ordained him priest and later consecrated him a bishop. Shortly after the martyrdom of Pope Stephen in 257, Mellonius set out for Gaul. He succeeded Nicasius of Rouen as Bishop of Rouen in 261. After a long episcopate, in 311, he retired to a hermit's cell at a place called Hericourt, where he died A.D. 314. Mellonius was succeeded by Avitianus. He is sometimes confused with Mellonius,

Bishop of Troyes The Diocese of Troyes (Latin: ''Dioecesis Trecensis''; French: ''Diocèse de Troyes'') is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Troyes, France. The diocese now comprises the ''département'' of Aube. Erecte ...

, from 390 to 400.

Veneration

His feast day is 22 October. In the English translation of the 1956 edition of the

Roman Martyrology The ''Roman Martyrology'' () is the official martyrology of the Catholic Church. Its use is obligatory in matters regarding the Roman Rite liturgy, but dioceses, countries and religious institutes may add duly approved appendices to it. It provid ...

, 'St Mellon' is listed under 22 October with the citation: At Rouen, St Mellon, Bishop, who was ordained by Pope St Stephen and sent thither to preach the Gospel. In the 2004 edition of the Roman Martyrology, Mellonius is listed under the same date, 22 October, with the Latin name ''Mallóni''. He is mentioned as follows: 'At Rothómagi (Rouen), bishop, who in that city announced the Christian faith and handed on the episcopate'. Bishop Mellonius is depicted in a fifteenth-century illuminated Book of Hours.Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts, The Morgan Library and Museum
/ref> Mellonius was buried at Rouen, but his remains were subsequently translated to a church in

Pontoise Pontoise () is a commune north of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the "new town" of Cergy-Pontoise. Administration Pontoise is the official (capital) of the Val-d'Oise '' département'', although in reality the ' ...

towards the end of the eighth century to protect them from Norse warbands. They remained there until they were lost during the French Revolution.

Legacy

St. Mellon's Church in St. Mellons, Cardiff is dedicated to Mellonius of Rouen. A fair used to be held on his feast day in the village of St Mellons.Kellen, David. "St Mellons Parish Church", The Parish of St. Mellons, The church in Wales
/ref> The church was previously dedicated to St. Lucius, but was changed upon the arrival of the Normans.Cormack, George. "St. Mellon", ''The Red Dragon: The National Magazine of Wales'', Vol. 11, (Giuseppe Mattei,ed.), Daniel Owen, Howell and Company, 1887, p. 72
/ref> The church at Thiédeville is dedicated to him at Héricourt, where there was a

holy well A holy well or sacred spring is a well, Spring (hydrosphere), spring or small pool of water revered either in a Christianity, Christian or Paganism, pagan context, sometimes both. The water of holy wells is often thought to have healing qualitie ...

. There is also a church dedicated to St. Mellon in Plomelin, Brittany.

References

External links

Who Was Saint Mellon?
- article at the parish website of St Mellon's Church in St Mellons, Cardiff
Geographical Essay
appended to estate agent's particulars
Rumney History
summary {{authority control 311 deaths 4th-century bishops in Gaul Bishops of Rouen Welsh Roman Catholic saints Medieval Welsh saints 4th-century Christian saints Gallo-Roman saints Year of birth unknown