#Otd Feast Day of St Kilian (d. 689), Irish missionary bishop & Apostle of #Franconia (now N #Bavaria). Aka Killian Chillian, Cilian, Cillian. Born to noble parents c 640 in Cloughballybeg, near #Mullagh, Co #Cavan. Then might have studied in Hy (Iona). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Kilian

Summer 686 St Kilian with 11 companions, travelled from Ireland, through Gaul to Rome to receive missionary faculties from Pope Conon. Arrived late autumn, sent to castle of #Würzburg, inhabited by the Thuringian (Frankish) Duke Gozbert, who was, like his people, still pagan.

St Kilian's group of 11 separated, while he with 2 companions, the priest Colmán (aka Colonan or Kolonat) & deacon Totnan, remained in #Würzburg. Made this town the base of activity, which extended over an ever-increasing area in East Franconia & Thuringia ( #Bavaria).

Irish St Kilian, Colmán & Totnan converted Duke Gozbert with a large part of his subjects in modern day #Bavaria, to Christianity. Stained glass window shows him baptising Duke Gozbert. #Würzburg #Franconia #Thuringia

St Kilian told Duke Gozbert he was in violation of scripture by being married to his brother's widow, Geilana (who was not converted). When he was absent she had soldiers go to main square of Würzburg where Kilian, Colmán & Totnan were preaching! She had them beheaded!

St Burchard, appointed by Boniface as 1st bishop of #Würzburg, built a cathedral on the spot where St Kilian, Colmán & Totnan beheaded, had their relics unearthed & buried within a vault of that cathedral church. St Kilian's feast day #otd. @MagicalEurope #Bavaria #Germany

Skulls of St Kilian, Colmán & Totnan, inlaid with precious stones, preserved to this day. On St Kilian's day a glass case containing the 3 skulls is removed from a crypt, paraded through the streets before large crowds & put on display in #Würzburg Cathedral (dedicated to Kilian)

Statues of Irish saints, St Kilian, Colmán & Totnan (among others) line the famous Saints' Bridge across the River Main, in #Würzburg, #Bavaria, #Germany. (April 2, 1945 the bridge was destroyed & had to be rebuilt after the Second World War.) @MagicalEurope

Kilian is patron saint of parish of #Tuosist, nr #Kenmare in Co #Kerry, where he is believed to have resided before Germany. A church & holy well are named after him & his feast day, July 8, celebrated with crowds visiting the well for prayers, followed by evening social events.

St Kilian of Würzburg, Apostle of Franconia ( #Bavaria, #Germany).
Feast: July 8
Attributes: wearing a bishop's mitre and wielding a sword
Patronage: sufferers of rheumatism
Also the patron saint of Paderborn, Germany.

Some buildings named after St Kilian: @StKillians, Garron Tower, Carnlough, N Ireland; St Kilian’s Heritage Centre, in village of Mullagh in Co Cavan; German School in Dublin & St Kilian's Church in Heilbronn, Germany. Feast day #otd. @Love_Antrim