Saint Colman (martyr)

For the other Irish saint sometimes named Colman, see Coloman of Stockerau.

Saint Colman or Kolonat (Irish: Colmán; Latin: Colomannus; c. 600 – July 8, 689 AD in Würzburg, Germany) was an Irish-born Christian priest and missionary.

Saint Colman or Kolonat
St. Colman by Harry Clarke
Apostle to the Franconians
Born	7th century Ireland
Died	689 Würzburg, Kingdom of the Franks
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church True Orthodox Church
Feast	July 8

Life

He was a companion of Kilian and Totnan as missionaries to Franconia and Thüringen in Germany.

In 686, the three of them travelled to Rome with nine other Christians and met Pope Conon. They then travelled on to Wurzburg. At this point the three stayed in Wurzburg while the others travelled throughout the area. Duke Gozbert of Wurzburg became a Christian, but his wife remained a pagan.

Kilian told Duke Gozbert that he was breaking Christian scripture by marrying his brother's widow, Geilana. Geilana was so angry that she sent her soldiers to the main square of Würzburg, where the three missionaries were preaching, and had them beheaded.^[1]

Legacy

After their deaths, their relics were revered as cures for illnesses.

In 752 Burchard of Wessex became the first bishop of Würzburg. He transferred the relics of the three men into the new cathedral which was dedicated to St Kilian.^[2]

The Saint Colman's day feast is celebrated on July 8.^[3][2]