Saint Curig
Chapel of St Ilid & St Curig at Llanilid, Wales
Bishop
BornUnknown, estimated at c. 800
ResidenceLlangurig
DiedLanderneau
Venerated inChurch in Wales
PatronageCapel Curig, Llangurig, Porthkerry, Langstone and Llanilid

St Curig was a Celtic Roman Catholic bishop and saint of Wales during post Roman times.[1]

St Curig settled in Wales in the 7th century AD, during the reign of Maelgwn Gwynedd, for whom he was described as being a warrior.[2]

Lore describes Maelgwn becoming angered by his warrior's newfound religious beliefs, and in response Curig "caused Maelgwn and his men to go blind (and forced) three of Maelgwn's sons (...) to give Gurig (sic) land."[2]

Upon landing at Aberystwyth, "he travelled inland, and rested upon the summit of a high mountain, where he settled a green, which still bears the name of Eisteddfa Gurig, or Curig's seat."[1] This is the site of the present day village of Llangurig.

In Thomas Jones' Gerald of Wales, St Harmon's Church is described as having (until the late 16th Century) a crucifix of St Curig's, "which extends slightly at the top, on both sides, in the shape of a cross, and which is covered round with gold and silver."[3] Jones describes it as being used to cure patients.

He is sometimes associated with Saint Ilid or St Dona. He is remembered in the church of St Curig in Llangurig and the chapels called Capel Curig in Porthkerry, Langstone, Newport and Llanilid, all in Wales. The church of St. Julittas`s in Capel Curig is traditionally said to have been founded by him.

Curig is thought to have migrated to Brittany at the end of his life and there are several churches there bearing his name. He is said to have died at Landerneau and been buried at Locquirec.[3]

He is commemorated on 16 June.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Williams, Robert (1852). A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Welshmen. William Rees. p. 87. Curg (Lwyd,) or the Blessed, was a saint celebrated for his learning and holy life, who came and settled in Wales in the seventh century. Having landed at Aberystwyth, he travelled inland, and rested upon the summit of a high mountain, which still bears the name of Esteddfa Gurig, or Curig's seat; from whence looking around him, he perceived a fertile valley, in the retirement of which he determined to build a church, which is called from him Llangurgig, in Montgomeryshire. He was also a bishop of a see in Wales, which is supposed to have been that of Llanbadarn Vawr.
  2. 1 2 Breverton, TD (2000). The Book of Welsh Saints. Glyn Dŵr Publications.
  3. 1 2 Jones, Thomas (1938). Gerald of Wales. Cardiff. p. 16.
  4. ↑ "Celtic and Old English Saints - 16 June".
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