Saint Petroc

Biography

Saint Petroc, also known as Petrock, Pedrog, Perreuse, Perreux, Petrocus, and Petrox, was a saint and important figure in the early history of Christianity in Britain. Petroc was born as the younger son of King Glywys, and upon his father's death, he was expected to take the crown of one of the country's sub-divisions. However, Petroc had a deep longing for a religious life, and instead of accepting the offer, he chose to pursue his calling and study in Ireland. After several years of studying in Ireland, Petroc returned to Britain and landed on the River Camel in Cornwall. He sought guidance from Saint Samson, who directed him to the hermitage of Saint Wethnoc. Wethnoc kindly agreed to give his cell to Petroc so that he could found a monastery on the site. Petroc became the abbot of the monastery and served in this role for a remarkable 30 years. During his time as abbot, he made a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. However, upon his return, when he reached a place called Newton Saint Petroc, it unexpectedly started to rain. Petroc, in his humility, had predicted that the rain would soon stop, but it continued pouring for three days. Seeing this as a penance for presuming to predict God's weather, Petroc decided to return to Rome. From there, he embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and then traveled to India, where he lived for seven years on an island in the Indian Ocean. When Petroc eventually returned to Britain, he was accompanied by a loyal wolf companion he had met during his time in India. Petroc's presence was highly influential as he founded churches at Saint Petrox and Llanbedrog. In Cornwall, with the assistance of Saint Wethnoc and Saint Samson, he even managed to defeat a mighty serpent that King Teudar of Penwith had used to devour his enemies. At one point, Petroc decided to leave his monastery at Llanwethinoc to live as a hermit in the woods at Nanceventon. Some of his fellow monks followed his example and established themselves at Vallis Fontis. During this time, a hunted deer sought refuge in Petroc's cell, seeking protection from the hunter, King Constantine of Dumnonia. Petroc not only saved the deer but also managed to convert King Constantine to Christianity. Later on, Petroc moved deeper into the Cornish countryside and encountered another hermit named Saint Guron. With the backing of King Constantine, Petroc established a new monastery called Bothmena, which means "the Abode of Monks," at the site of Guron's hermitage. This monastery became a significant center of religious activity under Petroc's guidance. Saint Petroc was often represented in iconography holding a church, a stag, or a wolf. These symbols reflect his various accomplishments, including the founding of churches, the taming of a wild stag, and his loyal wolf companion. Additionally, he is associated with a coracle, a small boat traditionally used by early Celtic Christians, as well as with the stag and wolf themselves. Petroc's life eventually led him to the area of Treravel in Padstow, Cornwall, where he passed away around the year 594. He died of natural causes while on the road and was buried at Padstow. In 1177, his relics were stolen and taken to the Abbey of Saint Meen. Fortunately, the relics were later returned to the Bothmena monastery. However, during the English Reformation, the relics were tragically destroyed. Saint Petroc was canonized as a saint in the Pre-Congregation era, before the formal process of canonization was established. He is recognized as the patron saint of Bodmin, Cornwall; Caernarfonshire, Wales; Cornwall, England; Devon, England; Exeter, Devonshire, England; Hollacombe, Devonshire, England; Little Petherick, Cornwall; Nansfenten, Cornwall; Llanbedrog, Wales; Lydford, Devonshire, England; Newton Saint Petrock, Devonshire, England; Padstow, Cornwall; Saint-Méen, France; South Brent, Devonshire, England; Trevalga, Cornwall; and West Anstey, Devonshire, England. Saint Petroc's life and legacy continue to inspire and guide Christians in the areas he is affiliated with, serving as a testament to his devotion and impact on the early spread of Christianity in Britain.