Theofrid (Chaffre, Theofredus, Theofred, Théofroy) of Orange (or of Carmery) (d. 728 or 732 AD) was an abbot of Calmeliac or Carmery-en-Velay (later called Saint-Chaffre, and today Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille[1]), which is situated near Le Puy-en-Velay and was founded by Calminius.
Saint Theofrid of Orange | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | Orange, Vaucluse, France |
| Died | 728 or 732 AD near Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, France |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | November 18;[1] October 19[2] |
A native of Orange, he joined his uncle Eudon, the first abbot of Calmeliac.[3] Theofrid is venerated as a martyr, as Christian tradition holds that he was killed by Muslim raiders who had crossed into southern France.[4]
Tradition states that the circumstances of his death are as follows: when the raiders neared Calmeliac, Theofrid ordered the other monks to hide in the forest.[4] He remained near the monastery and was found in prayer, and was dragged away and mortally wounded in the head with a stone.[5]
The legend further states that after Theofrid fell to the ground, the earth shook and a dark storm cloud unleashed lightning, hail, and winds that dispersed the raiders.[4] Theofrid died seven days later.[4]
Veneration
editHis cult spread in Southern France during the 11th century.[1] In Piedmont, his cult was confused with that of the legendary member of the Theban Legion, Chiaffredo (Theofredus, Teofredo).[1][6] Holweck says Theofrid is "identical with S. Teofredo of Joffredo (Gioffredo), patron of Cervera and Cherasco in Piedmont."[3]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Theofred (Theofrid, Chaffre) – Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
- ↑ Kuefler, Mathew. The Making and Unmaking of a Saint: Hagiography and Memory in the Cult of Gerald of Aurillac, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014, p. 104 ISBN 9780812245523
- 1 2 Holweck, Frederick George. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints, B. Herder, 1924, p. 968
- 1 2 3 4 OCTOBER 19 – today's saints
- ↑ St. Theofrid (Chaffre) of Orange – Saints & Angels – Catholic Online
- ↑ San Chiaffredo di Saluzzo
External links
edit- (in German) Theofred