Conrad of Constance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Conrad of Constance |
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Copper plate showing Saint Conrad. From the crypt of Cathedral of Konstanz.
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| Born | c. 900 |
| Died | 26 November 975 |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 1123, First Lateran Council by Pope Callixtus II |
| Feast | 26 November |
| Attributes | represented as a bishop holding a chalice with a spider in it or over it. |
Conrad of Constance (German: Konrad von Konstanz; Latin: Conradus, Curtius) was an important German bishop and saint. He was born around 900 AD and passed away on November 26, 975.
Contents
Who Was Saint Conrad?
Early Life and Education
Conrad came from a powerful family called the Welfs. His father was Count Heinrich of Altdorf. Conrad received his education at the main church school in Constance.
After his studies, he became a leader at the Constance Cathedral. In the year 934, Conrad was chosen to be the Bishop of Constance. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church.
Conrad's Important Work
Conrad was known for focusing on his church duties. He didn't get involved in the political arguments of his time. This allowed him to dedicate his energy to serving his community.
He was a close friend of Emperor Otto I. Conrad even traveled with the Emperor to Italy in 962.
Journeys and New Churches
Conrad was a very religious person. He made three long trips, called pilgrimages, to Jerusalem. He also traveled many times to Rome.
During his time as bishop, Conrad built several churches. He also founded a hospital in Kreuzlingen. This hospital was named after a piece of the True Cross that Conrad brought back from Jerusalem. He gave this special relic to the hospital.
Why Is Saint Conrad Remembered?
Becoming a Saint
Conrad was officially recognized as a saint in 1123. This happened at an important meeting called the First Lateran Council. He was declared a saint by Pope Callixtus II.
The Spider Story
Saint Conrad is often shown in pictures as a bishop holding a chalice. A chalice is a special cup used in church services. Sometimes, there is a spider in or above the chalice.
This image comes from a famous story about Conrad. One day, while he was leading a church service, a spider fell into the chalice. In those days, people believed spiders were very poisonous. But Conrad, showing great faith, still drank from the chalice. He believed that the wine, which had become the Blood of Christ, would protect him. This act showed his strong trust in God.
