280
* See Appendix B.
St. ELIGIUS (or ELOI)
Appendix B
Artisan and Bishop. Born near Limoges, c. 588 : died at Noyon 660. Feast Day 1st December.
Came of a modest Gallo-Roman family, and was apprenticed to the Master of the Mint at Limoges. In due course, coming to the notice of King Chlotar II, he was appointed to a similar post at Marseilles; on Chlotar's death in 629, Dagobert I became his patron, and Eligius acquired considerable influence with the King. He had a great talent for engraving and smithing, and gained sufficient wealth to found a monastery at Solignac and a convent for women in Paris. In 641 Dagobert chose him to be Bishop of Noyon and Tournat. He discharged this office with vigour, especially in the foundation of religious houses and in missionary work among the heathen Frisans. St. Eligius was an outstanding churchman of his day, a friend and counsellor of St. Bathild, and very generous to the poor. Numerous works of art, especially reliquaries, were attributed to his workmanship, some of which still exist. He is the patron saint of smiths, farriers and all kinds of metalworkers.
Source: Plaque in St. Eligius' Church, Gun Club Hill Barracks, Kowloon (demolished 1994).