Saint Bavo
|
|
Saint Bavo, also known as Bavon, Allowin, Bavo of Ghent, Baaf, (589 - 654) is a Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox saint.
Life
Bavo was born near Liège, Belgium, a Belgian Nobleman originally named Allowin. Wild as a youth, selfish. He was known to have sold servants to local nobles as slaves. Bavo was converted to Christianity upon hearing a sermon preached by Saint Amand.
He built an abbey on his grounds that was contributed to Saint Amand and then became a monk. He finally distributed his belongings to the poor and lived as a recluse, first in a hollow tree, later in a cell in the forest near the Abbey.
He died at St. Bavo's Abbey in Ghent, in today's Belgium.
Recognition
Bavo is the patron saint of Ghent, Belgium and Haarlem, Netherlands.
Memorial Day: October 1.
Several churched are dedicated to him, including:
- Saint Bavo Cathedral, in Ghent
- Sint-Bavokerk, in Haarlem