Credan facts for kids

Saint Credan of Evesham (died August 19, 780) was an important saint in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. People also knew him as Credus or Credanus in Latin. He was a leader at a famous abbey in England.

Evesham Abbey bell tower

The Story of Saint Credan

A Leader at Evesham Abbey

Credan was the Abbot (which is like the head leader) of the Benedictine Abbey in Evesham, England. He lived during the time of King Offa of Mercia. We know he was an abbot because his name is on old official papers from King Offa's rule. Sadly, we don't have many other details about his life.

A Miraculous Test by Fire

In 1077, something amazing happened with Saint Credan's relics (his bones or other special items). A new abbot named Walter de Cerisy was in charge. He was from Normandy, and he wasn't sure about this local saint, Credan, because not much was known about him.

So, Abbot Walter decided to test the relics with fire! First, everyone fasted for three days. Then, they chanted special prayers. The bones were put into a fire to see if they were truly holy. According to the old stories, the relics didn't just survive the fire. They shone brightly, like gold, when they were moved to a special place for worship. This was seen as a miracle!

Some people think this story might be mixed up with an older one. In that story, another abbot named Mannig found Credan's bones. It's said that Mannig was told in a dream to move the holy bones to a shrine. When he did, Credan's body was found shining brightly between two other bodies.

A Shrine That Survived

Abbot Walter de Cerisy built a special shrine for Saint Credan in 1277. This shrine was one of only three that survived a big disaster. In 1207, the tower of Evesham Abbey fell down and destroyed much of the church. The fact that Credan's shrine survived was also thought to be a miracle.

Saint Credan's feast day is celebrated on August 19. This is the day he passed away in 780. Both the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church honor him on this day.

Saint Credan in Cornwall

Another Saint Credan?

Sometimes, people say that Saint Credan founded a church called Sancreed in Cornwall, England. This church is named after a Saint Credan. However, there were other saints named Credan in Cornwall, and their stories might have gotten mixed up.

A different Saint Credan from Cornwall is a more likely person for the church's name. This Credan was a follower of Saint Petroc. The story goes that this Saint Credan accidentally killed his own father. He felt so terrible about it that he left his old life behind. He became a hogherd (someone who looks after pigs) and lived a very good life. Because of this, he was later seen as a saint. His feast day is on May 11. However, some groups, like the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network, believe this Credan of Cornwall might be a "mythological" (legendary) figure.