Pelagius the Hermit facts for kids

Pelagius (also known as Pelayo, Paio, or Pelagio in Spanish) was a hermit who lived around 813 AD. A hermit is someone who lives alone, often for religious reasons. Pelagius lived in a place called Solovio, which was in the Libredón forest.

The Mysterious Lights

Some people believe Solovio was an old Celtic fort. Others think it was a burial ground used by Romans and Visigoths. Today, the Church of San Félix de Solovio stands on that very spot in Santiago de Compostela.

Pelagius saw something amazing for several nights. Mysterious bright lights, like a shower of stars, appeared on a hill in the forest. Some stories also say he heard beautiful, supernatural music with the lights.

A Big Discovery

Pelagius was very surprised by these lights. He went to tell Bishop Theodemir of Iria Flavia (now called Padrón) about the miracle. On July 25, 812, Bishop Theodemir gathered a small group and went to Solovio.

There, hidden in the thick plants, they found a stone tomb. Inside were the bodies of three men. They quickly identified them as the Apostle James the Great and two of his followers, Theodore and Athanasius. Bishop Theodemir believed this matched old religious texts.

The Birth of a Pilgrimage

The bishop knew this was a miracle, a special event from God. He told King Alfonso II of Asturias about it. King Alfonso then ordered a small chapel to be built on the site.

This chapel slowly grew into a very important place for pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place. The path King Alfonso took to reach the site became known as the Camino Primitivo. This "Primitive Way" was considered the oldest and safest route for pilgrims going to Saint James's shrine during the Middle Ages.

A Growing Holy Place

The small chapel was turned into a church in 829. Later, in 899, King Alfonso III ordered it to be rebuilt in a special old style.

Finally, in 1075, during the time of King Alfonso VI, the building of the famous Santiago de Compostela Cathedral began. This cathedral is still a major destination for pilgrims today.

What Some People Think

Some writers believe that the pilgrimage site in Santiago was created later, perhaps during a time called the Reconquista. They sometimes suggest that Saint Pelagius might have made up the stories about the relics and the site. However, this is just one idea among many.

There was another saint named Pelagius the Hermit who lived in the 10th century and is honored as a martyr. This is a different person from the Pelagius who found the tomb of Saint James.

See also

In Spanish: Ermitaño Pelayo para niños

• Camino de Santiago