Goar of Aquitaine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goar of Aquitaine |
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Saint Goar from the Nuremberg Chronicle (c. 1493)
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| Priest and Hermit | |
| Born | c. 585 Aquitaine, Francia |
| Died | 6 July 649 (aged 63–64) Oberwesel, Austrasia |
| Venerated in | |
| Feast | 6 July |
| Attributes | Hermit being given milk by three hinds; holding a pitcher; with the devil on his shoulder or under his feet; holding the church of Saint Goar am Rhein; hanging his hat on a sunbeam |
| Patronage | Innkeepers, potters, and vine growers |
Saint Goar of Aquitaine (born around 585 AD – died July 6, 649 AD) was a French priest and hermit from the 600s. He was known for being very religious and was believed to perform miracles. Goar was even offered the important job of Bishop of Trier, but he chose a simpler life. Today, he is considered a patron saint for people who work as innkeepers, potters, and vine growers.
Contents
The Life of Saint Goar
Goar was born in 585 AD into a rich family in a place called Aquitaine. Even when he was young, people noticed how religious he was. After he became a priest, he became well-known for his powerful speeches.
However, Goar wanted to serve God in a quieter way. So, in 618 AD, he traveled to the Trier area to live as a hermit. He settled near the town of Oberwesel. Even though he wanted to live alone and not be famous, news of his holiness spread everywhere.
Goar's Reputation and Challenges
Many travelers would visit Goar to ask for his advice. One time, two pilgrims spoke badly about him to Rusticus, who was the Bishop of Trier. They claimed Goar was not living up to his promises of being poor and pure.
Bishop Rusticus then called Goar to defend himself. According to an old story, Goar performed a miracle that proved he was innocent. This miracle also showed that Bishop Rusticus had been unfair. Because of this, Sigebert III, the King of Austrasia, asked Goar to become the new Bishop of Trier.
Another version of the story says that Rusticus accused Goar of sorcery. King Sigebert cleared Goar's name. After Rusticus was removed from his position, Goar was offered the bishop role.
No matter which story is true, Goar did not want the big responsibilities of being a bishop. He asked for time to think about the offer. But when he returned to Oberwesel, he became sick and passed away on July 6, 649 AD. He never became a bishop.
Honoring Saint Goar
A small church was built to honor Goar in 1768. It is located in the town on the banks of the Rhine River that is now named after him, St-Goar. It is also said that Charlemagne, a famous emperor, built a church over the spot where Goar lived as a hermit. The town of Sankt Goar am Rhein grew up around this church.
Miracles and Legends
A book about Saint Goar's life, called Vita Sancti Goaris, was written in 839 AD by a monk named Wandalbert of Prüm. This book tells about several miracles Goar performed.
One famous miracle explains why Goar is sometimes shown hanging his hat on a sunbeam. When Goar refused King Sigebert's offer to become bishop, he threw his cloak over a sunbeam. The cloak stayed hanging there as if the light was solid. This miracle was meant to show that Goar's decision to refuse the important job was guided by God.
Saint Goar's feast day, which is a special day to remember him, is July 6. In art, he is often shown in different ways:
- A hermit getting milk from three female deer.
- Holding a pitcher.
- With the devil on his shoulder or under his feet.
- Holding a model of the church of Saint Goar am Rhein.
See also
- Sankt Goar am Rhein
- Sankt Goarshausen
