Sadwrn

Saint Sadwrn was a hermit. His feast day is 29 November.

History

St Sadwrn was the brother of Illtud (The Galilean) and is buried at All Saints' Church, Brixworth near Northampton. The English recognise him as St. Giles, the saint who brought Christianity to England. He seems to have held considerable sway in the politics of central Wales, which would have included contemporary north Carmarthenshire, and possibly like his brother, who followed St. Germanus, held a temporary military command.

There are strong Breton connections with the region which may explain their origins - a far more realistic explanation than the one usually offered regarding Sadwrn's (Giles) Armenian or Georgian roots.

There are references to Illtud being the cousin of Athrwys ap Meurig of Morgannwg (Arthur) although there is no known connection with Sadwrn. Interestingly, Caeo, the centre of the early church in England, may have had a connection with Sadwrn but this is difficult to verify. It is interesting to note that Sadwrn and Meurig are deemed by Welsh scholars to be none other than St. Giles and St. George.

Source

• Celtic and Old English Saints 29 November