11 Facts About Saint Teilo

Saint Teilo, known as Eliud, was a British Christian monk, bishop, and founder of monasteries and churches.

Saint Teilo was from Penalun near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, south Wales.

Saint Teilo founded Llandeilo Fawr, as well as Penally Abbey at his place of birth.

Saint Teilo was born at Penalun around the year 500.

Saint Teilo succeeded Dubricius as Bishop of Llandaff after Dubricius retired to a hermitage on Bardsey Island.

Saint Teilo is reported to have stayed in Brittany for seven years and seven months and so must have left in 556 or 557, although some sources imply he returned in 554.

Legend has it that Saint Teilo was asked by Budic II of Brittany to subdue a belligerent winged dragon, which he tamed and tied to a rock in the sea off Brittany.

At his death Saint Teilo's body was said to have miraculously become three identical bodies, probably because his relics were claimed by three churches, Llandaff Cathedral, Llandeilo Fawr, and Penally Abbey.

Saint Teilo is recognised as bishop and abbot at the monastery in Llandaf, Wales.

Saint Teilo is said to have been canonized, though the exact date is not known, but he is acknowledged as one who undertook extraordinary labours in behalf of the church in Wales and Cornwall and who was celebrated in Armorica.

Saint Teilo is not infrequently represented, as in many Breton churches, riding a stag.