Rasyphus and Ravennus facts for kids

Saints Rasyphus and Ravennus were two Christian saints from the 400s. They are remembered as martyrs, which means they died for their faith. They were originally from Britain but had to leave their home because of the Anglo-Saxon invasions.

They traveled to a place called Gaul (which is now France). There, they chose to live as hermits, meaning they lived alone in quiet places to focus on their religious beliefs. Sadly, they were later killed, possibly by a group called the Goths.

The Story of Saints Rasyphus and Ravennus

The local stories from the church of St-Aubin in Macé, Normandy, say that Rasyphus and Ravennus set up their quiet hermitage near where the church stands today. They found a special spring of water there that was believed to have healing powers.

How They Became Martyrs

There are different stories about how these two saints died. One popular story tells that they were thrown against a huge stone. The amazing part is that their heads supposedly left dents in the stone, but they weren't hurt! You can even see two marks in the church of St-Aubin of Macé that people believe are these very dents.

After this, they were beheaded and buried close to the church grounds. A special tombstone marks the spot where they were laid to rest.

Remembering the Saints

Saints Rasyphus and Ravennus became known as powerful healers. Many people believed they were responsible for incredible miracles. They were especially honored in the area around Séez, France.

Their Journey Through Time

Over the years, their holy remains, called relics, were moved several times to keep them safe. First, they were taken from St-Aubin to Bayeux Cathedral when the Vikings were invading. Later, during the French Wars of Religion, their relics were moved again to Caen.

Finally, they were brought to a place called Grancey in Champagne, France. This is where their relics rest today. People celebrate their feast day every year on July 23rd.