Saint Paul Aurelian

Endellion | Michael | Paul Aurelian | Petroc | Piran | Samson

Saint Paul Aurelian was the son of a Welsh nobleman who studied under the Abbot Iltud at Llaniltud Fawr, before leaving to live as a hermit at Llandovery when only sixteen. He then founded a monastery nearby at Llandeusant, where he was ordained a priest.  

His fame soon reached King Mark in Cornwall, who ruled from Castle Dore Fort near Fowey. Mark wished to strengthen the Christian faith among his people, and so asked Paul to come to Cornwall. Paul arrived with twelve priests, before moving on to Brittany, apparently to avoid being made a bishop! It seems Paul travelled first to Mount’s Bay in Cornwall as it was there that he met up with his sister Sitofola, helping establish a church for her at Paul near Newlyn. The church there, as well as the village, is still dedicated to him. There is an old Cornish cross in the churchyard wall on top of what is thought to be a pagan standing stone. This may mean the place used to be one of pagan worship before the coming of Christianity. 

Paul landed in Brittany and founded important monasteries there. Saint Pol-de-Lyon Cathedral is still dedicated to Paul, and has a series of beautiful modern stained glass windows with scenes from his life in them. It also has what is thought to be his bell. He died at the ripe old age of 104. 

While we have no interesting stories of Paul’s time in Cornwall, we have one from when he was in Brittany. One day one of his monks left the monastery intending to become a hermit nearby. He found a pretty spot near a well, and built a small hermit’s hut. However, a huge and ferocious bull appeared, scared the terrified monk off, and then flattened his hut. When the bull had gone, the frightened monk rebuilt his hut, but the bull came back and destroyed it once more. The monk tried one more time to rebuild his hut, but the bull returned, scared him off and smashed it into pieces yet again.

The monk now went to seek the help of Paul Aurelian, who went to the spot and approached the fierce bull, which snorted and pawed the ground aggressively. Paul tamed the bull with the softness of his voice and the kindness of his nature. The monk was able now to rebuild his hut without fear of it being destroyed again, but Paul liked the quietness of the place so much he decided to stay there himself. There is still a church there today, and you can see the holy well that provided for Paul’s needs.