Saint Bavo

Bavo († 655 ) ( Dutch: Sint Bavo, sometimes Sint BAAF ) was a saint of the 7th century, is revered in parts of the Netherlands and Flanders, especially in Gent.

Life

Bavo was born in the late 6th or early 7th century in what is now Belgium. He came from a noble family and was originally called allowin. According to legend, he was a son of Pippin the Elder. After the death of his wife, daughter of Count Adilio and mother of Adeltraut (nobility Trudi ), which later became abbess in Malbodium monastery (now Maubeuge ), was Bavo gave all his belongings to the poor and entered a Ghent monastery, where he 655 died.

Patronages

St. Bavo and St. BAAF is the patron saint of the St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent and the St. Bavo Church and the St. Bavo Cathedral in Haarlem. The Saint Bavo's Abbey in Ghent resolution was dedicated to him. His holidays are in Ghent October 1 and August 1; but in Haarlem August 9 and May 10 Bavo is the patron saint of the diocese of Ghent and Haarlem -Amsterdam.

He is also considered the patron saint of falconers.

Iconography

Because of its noble origin Bavo is often prepared as elegantly dressed nobleman and spurred, shown with a falcon on his fist or the handing out of gifts to the poor.