Medardus

Medardus (* 456 in Salency, County of Vermandois, northern France, † June 8 in Noyon 545 ) was mid-6th century Bishop of Vermandois, then and later from Tournai, from where he evangelized Flanders of Noyon. He was buried at the behest of the king in later named after him Monastery Saint- Médard in Soissons, north of Paris. Medard was known for his charity and was canonized.

Life and work

It is often said that St. Godard ( Gildard ), which Archbishop of Rouen, was to have been his twin brother. Godard and Medardus to have died on the same day so that the festivals of both Holy coincide. However, this is a legend, which came up for the first time in the 9th century and since then still persists.

Medardus is still regarded as the patron of Schirmmacher and is called by the peasants as weather saint for good Heuwetter. According to legend, an eagle descended from heaven to protect him in a bad storm before the rain.

In France carry over 70 communities the name of Saint- Médard, in Germany Medard ( Glan ) and a district of Trier. He is still revered in Belgium and Germany as a patron, as for example in the East Village or in the city Lüdenscheid. He is also the patron of the small Italian town Arcevia ( Marche region ), which was probably founded by the Franks in the Middle Ages.

In the Austrian provinces traditionally considered the Medardus - day as the best day to sow carrots ( carrots) for the autumn harvest.

Many churches have the patronal feast of St.. Medardus, see Medarduskirche.

Patronages

The saint is the patron saint of the city Lüdenscheid, as well as the farmers, winemakers, brewers and umbrellas makers. He is called both in rain, tooth pain, fever, and mental illness as well as for dry Heuwetter and a good harvest. In addition, it should help to liberation from captivity.

Iconography and Holy attributes

Medardus is represented with a heart in his left hand and laughing.

Remembrance

His Catholic feast day is June 8. It is a day of remembrance not offered in general Roman calendar.

Bauer rule

For Medardus there in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and also in France, one of the Seven Sleepers generally similar Bauer rule that predicts the weather for 40 days:

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