Saint
Asaph
Born: 6th Century, Wales
Died: c600, Wales
Feast Day: 1st May (5th May in Wales)
Patron Saint: St Asaph
Symbols in Art: Bishop with a book, Monk carrying hot coals
Also Known As: Asa, Asaf
Shrine: St Asaph Cathedral, Flintshire
Saint Asaph was the first
Welsh Bishop of Asaph in Wales. Legend states that Asaph was born to King Sawyl
Peuchel and Gwenaseth, daughter of Rhufon Rhufoniog. Although no story of his
life exists, there are various points of interest in the region near Holywell
that bear his name including an ash tree, church, well, and valley. He is
believed to have lived in a hermitage in the area.
From Jocelyn’s book of
Furness’s Life of St. Kentigern (Mungo) we do know some facts about Asaph. When
young Asaph served Saint Kentigern (Saint Mungo), who was Bishop of Asaph
before Asaph, having been exiled from Glasgow and establishing a monastery in
Wales. He was alerted to Asaph’s
sanctity when he asked Asaph to bring a piece of wood for the fire, after
praying in the freezing river. Asaph
brought live coals on his apron showing no burn marks and this was classed as a
miracle. After Kentigern moved back to
Scotland, Asaph was ordained as Bishop on the direction of Kertigern.
In later
years Asaph established a monastery in Powys where he died on 1st
May c600.
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