Saint Erkembode

Saint Erkembode lived in the late 7th and first half of the 8th centuries, though details of his early life are unknown. He was an Irish monk who traveled with several companions to Sithiu (now Saint-Omer) in northern France where he resided at the monastery. A disciple of the abbot at Sithiu, Saint Bertin († c.709), himself a disciple of Saint Columbanus of Luxeuil, Erkembode was later elected by the clergy and people as bishop of Thérouanne while remaining abbot of his abbey. His name 'Erkembode' means 'recognised envoy.' The region is now called French Flanders, and the see of Thérouanne, where he served, had been previously mentioned by Julius Caesar in his Gallic Wars as the capital of the Morini. After 26 years of episcopacy, extending far into the mainland, Erkembode died on April 12, though the exact year is unknown. He was buried in Saint-Omer Cathedral, where his tomb remains.