Eoban facts for kids

Eoban was a Christian leader who lived a long time ago. He was a close friend and helper of St. Boniface, a very important saint. Eoban is remembered as a bishop and a martyr, which means he died for his Christian faith. He is especially honored in Germany. He passed away on June 5, 754, in a place called Dokkum.

Eoban's Life and Mission

Eoban was an English priest. He traveled to Germany with St. Boniface to help spread Christianity. In the year 753, he was known as a bishop. Not much is known about Eoban's early life. Most of what we know comes from old writings about St. Boniface.

On the morning of June 5, 754, a sad event happened. St. Boniface and about 50 other people, likely including Eoban, were killed. This happened in Dokkum, which is in the Netherlands. They were attacked by people from the Frisian area who did not follow Christianity. Eoban was remembered by English Catholics. His story was even included in paintings of English saints and martyrs in Rome.

Remembering Eoban in Erfurt

After 756, the remains (called relics) of Bishop Eoban and another bishop named Adalar were moved. They were taken to Fulda and buried next to St. Boniface. Later, before the year 1100, their relics were moved again to Erfurt.

Around this time, people in Erfurt began to honor and remember Eoban and the other companions of St. Boniface. There is a special stone coffin, called a Sarcophagus, in the Erfurt Cathedral. This sarcophagus holds the relics of Saints Adalar and Eoban. It was made around the year 1350.

Eoban is celebrated as a saint on July 7 each year.