Saint Armel

Saint Armel, also known as Arthfael or Armagilus, was an early 6th-century holy man from Brittany who is said to have been a Breton prince born around 480 in Glamorgan, Wales. He founded the abbey of Plouarzel and later attended the court of King Childebert I of Paris for seven years, where he cured the lame and the blind. During his time at the royal court, Armel established churches at Ergué-Armel, Plouharnel, and Saint-Armel. He then founded a second monastery on land given to him by the king in Saint-Armel-des-Bochaux. According to tradition, he defeated a dragon terrorizing the Forest of Teil before retiring to this new monastery where he died around 570. His feast day is celebrated on August 16.