Saint Beóán

Saint Beóán of Mortlach, also known as Beyn or Beanus, was the first bishop of Mortlach and a saintly man worthy of his episcopal office. According to Walter Bower, following John of Fordun, the bishopric was established in 1012 AD by King Máel Coluim II of Scotland as thanks for victories over the Scandinavians. The king requested that Pope Benedict VIII elevate Beóán to this see, and he was indeed appointed by the pope. The Aberdeen Registrum records a charter granted to Bishop Beóán by King Máel Coluim at Forfar, which included churches and lands of Clova and an unidentified Dulmech. The Aberdeen Breviary commemorated him on 26 October as a saint, though another Beóán was often confused with him due to shared feast days. Saint Beóán is known for his role in the early establishment of the episcopal see at Mortlach and his sanctity recognized by the Church.